Expedition Dispatch Archive

Expedition Everest Pre-Departure Dispatch #4

Nameste,

As the days draw near to the March 27th departure date, I want to bring everyone up to speed with the latest information on the expedition. For some of you this is your first dispatch and you will find the previous ones posted on the website. Some email housekeeping, this email address will not be monitored by me while I am in Tibet. Since it will cost about $5 per minute to send and receive email I will be unable to respond to individual emails while at base camp. I will be sending the dispatches to Dan Pate, the Expedition Webmaster who will forward them on to you (after checking my spelling). There are several more websites that will be updating dispatches from other team members during the course of the expedition. Please be sure to check them for updates sent out by other expedition members.

http://www.adventurepeaks.com

http://www.tomclowes.com

http://www.mounteverest.net

http://www.everestnews.com

I will try to send out an update every 5 to 7 days. The following is a rehash of the expedition description and an updated list of team members.

Expedition Everest 2004 is a professionally-led non-guided expedition which follows the original Mallory and Irvine route from the Rongbuk glacier within Tibet. The expedition is organized by Dave Pritt's Adventure Peaks and is made up of a team of British and American climbers. Serena Brocklebank will be following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Tom Brocklebank, who was a member of the British expedition to the north side of Everest in 1933. Kevin Donovan is a 48-year old computer systems administrator from Fort Worth, Texas: "I'm just an ordinary guy". Tom and Ben Clowes hope to be the first British brothers to summit Everest together. The climbers will be using the new British oxygen system (used successfully for the first time last year by the Royal Navy Royal Marines Everest North Ridge Expedition 2003).

Additional climbing member have been added to our Everest team for the new BBC production "The Challenge". The BBC members will consist of climbing member Tony Griffiths , cameraman John Whittle, safety person Paul Moores, 2 Sherpa and at BC/ABC Director Ewen Thomson and Assistant Producer Rachel Skelton. John and Paul are from High Exposure, LTD http://www.highexposure.co.uk . They are world class cinematographers and climbers and most recently worked on the production of Touching the Void.

Dave Pritt - Expedition Leader (Adventure Peaks) (UK)
Paul Noble - Co-Leader (Adventure Peaks) (UK)
Jill Pinkerton - Co-Leader & Gear Goddess (Adventure Peaks) (UK)
Dr. Mike Brennan - Team Physician/Climbing Member (UK)
Ian Gibb - Climbing Member (UK)
Serena Brocklenbank - Climbing Member ) (UK)
Tom Clowes - Climbing Member (UK)
Ben Clowes - Climbing Member (UK)
Raymond "Ray" Smith - Climbing Member (UK)
Kevin Donovan - Climbing Member (USA)
Tony Griffiths - Climbing Member (UK)
Sandra Gascoigne - Trekking Member (to Advanced Base Camp) (USA)

It is with great anticipation that I depart on this expedition, without fear, anxiety or reservation that I go. I look forward to the camaraderie of my fellow climbers and the safe return to my friends and loved ones. I would like to send my thanks to all of the supporters, friends and well wishers.

May the Mother Goddess Chomolungma look favorably upon all of the members of our expedition.

Dhanyabaad,

Kevin Donovan
Climbing Member
____________________________
http://www.expeditioneverest.com

"It's not about failure or success, it's not about living or dying - understand that you have come to Everest to conquer yourself."

George Mallory

Expedition Everest Pre-Departure Dispatch #3

Team Joins in Wales for Climbing and Pre-Departure Meeting

· Capel Curig, Snowdonia, North Wales – December 5th - 7th 2003

Seven climbing members preparing for the spring attempt of Mount Everest joined in Wales for Pre-Departure Meeting. The meet, hosted by Adventure Peaks, included a climb of Mount Snowdon (the highest point in Wales), a grand Christmas dinner and dance. There were over 60 in attendance including clients and friends of Adventure Peaks along members of previous Everest expeditions.

On Saturday the group set out for a climb of Mount Snowdon, 3,560 feet (1,085 meters). Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales. The route was over the Crib Goch, a Class 3+ scramble. On the summit we were greeted by gale force winds and fog. Since it was quite foggy and slippery I took limited photos. I will be adding a photo gallery to the website soon for all to view.

This link is to an excellent photo posted on SummitPost.Com showing the Pinnacles at the end of the Crib Goch: Click Here

The climb was followed up by an afternoon tea and gathering before returning for dinner and a dance that evening. The Everest Team Members quickly “escaped’ the dance and gathered in the pub for some great British brews and took the opportunity to get acquainted more.

On Sunday morning a pre-expedition meeting was held Dave Pritt, the expedition leader covered several items about gear, logistics and answered member’s questions.

The members then had the opportunity to demo the British oxygen system being made available to the expedition this spring. Graham Rees and Neil Greenwood, Directors of Summit Oxygen Ltd were where on hand to present the systems. http://summitoxygen.com The system was used successfully for the first time last year by the Royal Navy Royal Marines Everest North Ridge Expedition 2003. Members got to try out the system and compare its features to the POISK system that has been used by many expeditions.

Please be sure to visit http://expeditioneverest.kevindonovan.com/supporter.htm to get your Limited Edition ExpeditonEverest.Com Commemorative Expedition Patch or one of the other supporter packs.

Kevin Donovan
Climbing Member

____________________________
http://www.expeditioneverest.com

"It's not about failure or success, it's not about living or dying - understand that you have come to Everest to conquer yourself."

George Mallory

Expedition Everest Pre-Departure Dispatch #2

Expedition Everest has been featured in a series of articles on MountEverest.Net http://www.mounteverest.net on October 3rd & 5th the second and third stories in a three part series were published.

http://www.mounteverest.net/story/ImjustanordinaryguyOct32003.shtml

http://www.mounteverest.net/story/TheDreamofEverestOct52003.shtml

During the course of the expedition MountEverest.Net will be publishing updates on their website. Please take a few minutes to visit the site.

Kevin Donovan
Climbing Member
____________________________
http://www.expeditioneverest.com

"It's not about failure or success, it's not about living or dying - understand that you have come to Everest to conquer yourself."

George Mallory

Expedition Everest Pre-Departure Dispatch #1

Expedition Everest 2004 has been announced on MountEverest.Net today:
http://www.mounteverest.net/story/EverestsLegendaryFootstepsSep102003.shtml During the course of the expedition MountEverest.Net will be publishing updates on their website. Please take a few minutes to visit the site.

Kevin Donovan
Climbing Member
____________________________
http://www.expeditioneverest.com

" Climb Safe, Climb High, Climb Strong and Climb On"

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