Image Courtesy of Brad Clement

From: Brad Clement
Nepal - Annapurna Base Camp, October 18, 2008

Annapurna Base Camp!

We have arrived in Base Camp and it is absolutely beautiful. This is probably the most remote mountain base camp we've ever been to. No climbers have been to this side of the mountain in a year and a half, and it is awesome. We are camped at just under 14,000 feet on the edge of a lateral glacial moraine, directly under the northwest face of Annapurna. There are stunning views everywhere!

By the look of the huge snow plumes blowing off the summit, we think the Jet stream winds are directly on top of Annapurna. Because of these 100 mph winds, we can't try to climb to the top right now. In addition, the cold temperatures would make it very dangerous to try to summit. We have also seen many, many huge landslides along this moraine. We hope the winds and slides do not impact our climb. Our goal is to make a quick run up Annapurna, hopefully taking no more than 5-7 days to go up and down. In a day or so we will begin moving up to the higher camps, weather permitting.

We'll write more once we move up onto the mountain.

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Postcards from the Field: Annapurna

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