Miro Caban

We are sitting tired in the ABC. Jiri's time is slowly running. It becomes more obvious that the mountain most probably will not allow him to its peak. The snow conditions, acclimatization problems, weather, clearness through the icefall and other factors, which a man cannot influence, play a decisive role in the climber's success. But Jing and Jang work as well. So a hairy hope is still there. Nevertheless, Jiri has been the grinder and the engine of our small team at Shisha Pangma.

What next?
It's been a hell up there and the forecast had been correct. Yet, the rough combination of strong wind and some sun might help with unveiling the dangerous cracks in the ice. We know we have to be heading more to the right. Thus we will wait a day or two and will try for C1 again but better after consulting with the sherpas. After all that searching for a route we feel like the first Himalayas pioneers. Pity the icefall hasn't been more homogenous since we would be higher and further with our climb up by now.