Ama Dablam: A Fitting Finale

A fitting finale

Cake the lodge and our cook boy, Dawa,
made for our arrival

4th November

Hello from the Ama Dablam base camp lodge,

Our summit day was long, clear, windy and cold, but equally exhilarating. The day after we woke with emotional and physical memories that made it challenging to consider any movement beyond rolling in one's sleeping bag. Nevertheless the team rallied, and we descended all the way from Camp Two to the lodge. It's always amazing how quickly you can descend off a peak, especially to the promise of snacks and cold beverages. Our Sherpa team met us throughout the day to provide us treats and help lighten our loads, their ever present support continuing to the very end.

Once arriving back at the lodge, we treated ourselves to the creature comforts of on demand hot tea, and delicious meals cooked to order. We all slept so well, due to the relatively thick air and comfortable mattresses. A hydrated, satiated, and well rested summit crew have spent the day relaxing here at the lodge. The Yak's brought down the last of our gear off the mountain and we used the sunny afternoon to dry equipment, organise, and pack away the expedition. It's a wonderful feeling to wrap up the climb in the shadow of the peak itself, knowing it will loom large behind us as we trek out of the Khumbu in the coming days.

It has been an amazing trip, not without its challenges but with even greater rewards. Thanks for following us, as a climb of this magnitude takes the effort of not only the climbers on the mountain, but the friends and family who have supported us along the way. We look forward to touching base with you all from Kathmandu in a few days.

Andrew Yasso

The end if an expedition is often filled with reflection; how the climb went, how challenging it was, the worst and best parts. One's thoughts also are turned towards home and loved ones.

It is hard to understand why we put ourselves through such challenges and risks unless one has done so themselves. An old quote sums it up best for me.

"A ship is safe in the harbour but that is not what they're built for."

Thanks for following us on our journey.

Signing off for the last time.

Tim Robertson and the 2014 Ama Dablam Team