Manaslu 2002 Dispatches

April 27: From Base Camp

(Note: The following is based on an e-mail report from Mike's wife following a satellite phone call from Mike.)

Health of Team Members - Scott is at Base Camp and still having trouble getting acclimatized. Mike came down with something while at Camp 1 and came back to Base Camp. He discussed his problems with a doctor on another team and he thinks he had Giardia - probably from the trek. He started antibiotics and now is feeling better. All others are doing really well.

Climb Status - Everyone except Scott moved up to Camp 1 a few days ago and were resting there and acclimatizing. When Mike got sick, he and Brian went back to Base Camp. A storm blew in, which left half the team at Camp 1 and the rest down at Base Camp. That storm now has passed and Brian moved back up to Camp 1 yesterday. Mike plans to move back up today. Scott will stay at Base Camp a little longer. They will begin carrying loads to Camp 2 in the next couple of days depending on the weather.

Communications - The team is using the walkie-talkies to keep in touch with each other while at different camps. They are getting weather reports via a short wave radio although the reports aren't very helpful.