They'll
go for it tomorrow
Sunday 16th May and the days that follow should turn out to be
crucial days for the Belgian expedition.
In fact, according to an e-mail that we have just received from
base camp (Friday 14th May at 2pm), Debrouwer, Hubert and their
companions are due to leave tomorrow for the ABC and then set
out from there on Sunday 18th May for the summit.
The other members of the expedition (the clients, including Luc
Fonteyn) are already on the ridge but won't make any attempt for
the moment.
The weather conditions are not the best, but there is a feeling
that every day has begun to count. Pascal has to leave the camp
for Katmandou on 20th May, which does not mean that if they do
not succeed in reaching the summit between now and then, Alain
will not remain on the mountain and make an additional attempt
on his own. The Belgian feels in great shape and all that remains
of his pharyngitis is a slightly persistent cough that he will
try and treat by sucking some of the sugary sweets he bought (and
that he dislike) in the tibetan village where they went for a
break.
In any event, they will set out as a foursome. As the second tent
has been ripped (see message of 6th May), Alain and Manram will
let Pascal and Joao get ahead of them on the climb so that they
can also use their tent, which fortunately was spared by the wind.
The Americans from the "Mallory-Irvine" expedition are currently
spending their second night on the North Col (with oxygen) et
7000 m and will make an attempt on the summit tomorrow Saturday.
