|
|
|
The
Approach to the Summit of Mt. Mera |
|
| strained to support me. The fall
would not have been far but the embarrassment would have been
great! Dawa, like the mountain goat he is, danced up the
spine watching with interest my slow progress. The
payback came when the rocky ridge terminated into the
glaciered approach to the top of the pass. Without the
crampons it was a real struggle and dangerous for Dawa.
Passing the ice axe for him to use, he chopped steps into
the most difficult part of the slope and was soon on top.
At over 19,000 feet the sun beats now like a hammer on an
anvil. The last major hurdle into the Hongu was now
behind us. |
|
|
|
The climbing group has made it’s way to the first and only
campsite on the flank of Mount Mera. Tomorrow they will
make the ascent. It looks to be an easy approach, with the
only difficulty being a crevasse that protects the final
approach to the summit. This can be circumvented on one
side by a narrow corridor. I am satisfied that I
could make it easily, and anyway, there are so many
people on the mountain right now that it has taken much
of the romance out of it for me. The only real variable
in making the climb will be the weather. We have
discussed trying on the way out, but without crampons,
Dawa could not go, and he |
|
|
Sitting on My Ice Axe on The Mera La |
|
|
|
Another
View From the Pass as I head down
into the Hongu |
|
| strongly opposes me going alone.
If something would happen, he could lose his license, and thus his
livelihood.
Last night, Dawa made friends with the Sirdar and head cook
for a French group going our direction towards the Ponch
Pokori. Running a little short on food as we were, this was
fortuitous for now we have a ready source. Of course, the
French are not aware of this arrangement, and even though we
are paying for the supplies, I am sure the expedition leader
won’t see a cent of it.
Few good campsites mean we will be in close proximity to
them until they head east over the Mingbo La. A double edged
sword for me. |
|
|
|
Page 68 |
 |
|
