Successful Climbing for Health Care in Nepal Trip

After a stunning summit bid on Island Peak, five of our team reached the summit (20,305 feet)! Jared Wolcott, Rick Westermeyer, Jon Fessler, Brian Jensen and Les Zollbrecht all enjoyed the thin air of this spectacular 6,000 meter mountain. The climb included some 3rd-4th class scambling, glacier travel with two cravasses to jump over, a bergschrund to cross on a bridge and 400 feet of water ice to scale to the fixed lined summit ridge that led to the peak. Jon Fessler carried his HD camera to the summit and captured some high altitude shots of the team with the backdrop of the Khumbu region and several of the highest peaks in the world. The descent was marked with a high altitude rescue of a climber who contracted Acute Mountain Sickness 100 feet from the summit! Jared Wolcott helper her down the 600 foot head wall on rope and then Les and Jared short roped and guided her down another 3,000 feet to base camp where she recovered over then next few hours. For all of you who have been praying for this expedition--thanks!

After three long days of walking we 

arrived in Lukla and had a big celebration with the 18-person team who made this climb a success. 

It was an incredible time with many new 

friends made. 

A special thanks to each person for the invaluable contribution:

Nepali Guides:
Jagat Lama, Chet Lama, Lal Tamang and Nima Pisang Tamang

Nepali Porters:
Lahkpa Sherpa, Jangbu Sherpa, 

Ganga, Purna, Bishnu, Sireme Rai, Santosh Rai and Ramh Singh

US Guide:
Les Zollbrecht

Climbers:
Brian Jensen, Jon Fessler, Ann 

Westermeyer, Rick Westermeyer and Jared Wolcott

17,700 Feet

After spending five days above 15,000 and reaching a high point of nearly 18,000 feet, we are now luxuriously perched at 14, 300feet. It is great breathing the thick air of Dinboche as our team captured their first views of 20,305ft Island Peak. This will be our climbing objective in three days. Our team of six is well and we have enjoyed the stunning views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Cholatse and the many other dazzling peaks. Wish us well as we push upward!

MLI Team in the Everest Region

After passing dozens of yak/cow hybrids (called Jokios) and mule trains, the six member MLI team is resting in the thriving village of Namche Bazaar, Nepal. Two days of hiking has brought the team through the rugged valleys and across the Dudh Khosi River (over a 200' high suspension foot bridge). Today was a rest day, meaning that we hiked up about a thousand feet to help in the acclimatization process as we currently are at the same elevation as Mt. Hood's summit.

As the sun peaked over the mountains this morning, we stood in awe of our first view of Mt. Everest without a cloud in the sky! Ama Dablam stood at the entrance to the Khumbu valley perfectly framed in the dark blue sky above. After a stunning sunrise, we hiked up to Kunde where there is one of the two hospitals in this entire region. Our film crew interviewed the docter who was there about health conditions in this area. We also were able to see a "yeti" scalp at the monastery in Kumjung. What a day!

A major aspect of this expedition is to produce a film about health care in Nepal and prior to this trek, three of our team members: Jared Wolcott, Jon Fessler (our film maker) and myself (Les Zollbrecht) embarked on a harrowing jeep ride to Kumari. It is in this remote village that Jagat Lama (our head guide) is working with Health and Education for Nepal to build a hospital, improve education and help to reform his community. It was truly amazing to learn that although everyone cooks with fires in the homes there are no chimneys. The smoke just clouds the huts and eventually makes its way out the front door. Jagat told us that a recent medical camp had found that nearly 75% of people had some form of lung disease. On the final night of our trip, the local Shaman (the only health care currently available) performed a ritual dance similar to how they would heal someone who was sick.

More than ever, our team has become impressed about the desperate need for health care throughout Nepal and especially in Kumari.