It is good to be back ‘home’ to base camp today, after a few days of resting in Debouche, although, the resting was pretty great. After lunch at base camp today, we pulled out our oxygen equipment and practiced using it, before the air gets too thin! This year, we will be using new technology masks (field tested on Everest in 2007). We practiced attaching the regulators to our masks and to the oxygen tanks. It is very exciting to be getting our final stages of preparation out of the way.

To rest and recover in preparation for our final summit push, we decided to hike all the way from base camp (about 17,600 feet) down valley to Debouche at about 12,500 feet. This “rest low and recover” technique was originally developed by Russian mountaineers in the 1970s and it is employed by most teams here at Everest. We hiked for about 13 miles from base camp to Debouche and were rewarded by green grass, trees and a lot more oxygen.

In Debouche we had a very busy time…sleeping in the grass and walking in the lush green forests that we have been missing. Okay, so maybe the life of climbers isn’t so hard, but we sure took advantage of the relaxation. There is a nearby village with the largest and most famous monastery in the Khumbu valley, Tengboche, where we went for lunch and tried to power our computers to send some photos, but the ‘cyber-café’ was closed for the season (I think a yak walked through the cables). At the lodge we were staying at, there was one power outlet, and the power came from a waterwheel, which was often diverted, which meant no power!

As you are looking at the photos that we are posting, I know you are wondering how David, Jeff and I are so stylish while climbing…okay, maybe that isn’t a question anyone is asking! Nonetheless, some people have offered enormous support to outfit us for this expedition. David and Jeff are graciously supported by Outdoor Research (www.outdoorresearch.com) for a significant part of their outerwear, and Melissa received tremendous support from Zappos.com and the amazing design team at Mountain Hardwear, particularly Dan Ramos with endless pairs of gloves and Chris Hillard for super awesome (and warm) sleeping bags. Remote Medical International has also been a great supporter, providing first aid supplies (and letting Melissa leave work for three months)! We are so lucky to have so many professional partners that believe in what we are doing, but like we have said before, it is the support of all of the individuals, and their support of (PRODUCT) ^RED™ that means the most to us.

As we get rested, and as we prepare to head back up the mountain for our summit push, we are all feeling very thankful. We are so appreciative of all of the support that people have been showing, not just for our climbing goals, but for (PRODUCT) ^RED™ and the amazing things that we can all do as consumers to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Whenever we meet someone in a tea house, it is so encouraging to hear them say, with excitement, that when they get home they will learn more about (PRODUCT) ^RED™ or when they tell us about the (PRODUCT) ^RED™ products or services that they have purchased. These are the people that make the difference and drive the overwhelmingly positive change in the world health crisis of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Melissa Arnot

Today’s EVEREST TEAM INSPI(RED) expedition dispatch brought to you by Dell and Windows, proud partners of (PRODUCT) ^RED™.