Saturday, May 23, 2009

HE MADE IT!!!!!

At approximately 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 23, 2009, (10 p.m. Friday Utah time) Bruce made it to the summit of Mt. Everest!

He borrowed someone's sat phone and called at 3:15 a.m. this morning to let us know that he had made it and was back at the South Col (Camp 4). Still very high, and still using oxygen, he will spend the night there, then head to Camp 2 for one night, then back to base camp. He will call from base camp with much more information.

When I asked how he did, he said, "Oh, it was hard. I struggled, but it was so worth it." He said the weather was a little dicey at the summit; cloudy, windy and very cold. He said he feels good, and he sounded good (strong, healthy, no coughing) to me, and very happy. He said, "We still have a long, steep descent ahead, and we have to go back through the ice fall, but I don't anticipate any problems."

I will post again after he calls from base camp, probably Sunday. Right now I have to go do something -- cartwheels maybe . . . : )

16 comments:

  1. So exciting!! I can't even imagine how you both are feeling. Blessed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats...Bruce is an amazing climber and an inspiration to me. thanks for sharing with everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Incredible... I spent all last night combing all the web sites to see if Bruce made it. Celebrations are in order.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is awesome! It's exciting just to read about it. I'm glad he reached that goal.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hip Hip Hip Hoooooorrraaayyyyyy!!!!!!! An entire mountain of CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! What an inspiration to the rest of us couch potatoes....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wahoo!!! He is making the whole neighborhood a cooler place to live. Is that the TV station truck I see parked at your house??

    ReplyDelete
  7. Janet - you've been waiting to exhale - NOW YOU CAN! I'm so happy for you, for Bruce and for all the family and friends who have also been holding their breath. This is good news!

    ReplyDelete
  8. CONGRATULATIONS BRUCE!!! You have completed a mountaineering feat accomplished by few, but respected and admired by many. Surely you must know exactly how it feels to be "on-top-of-the-world" ... because YOU'VE BEEN THERE! Thanks to your good wife, Janet, we've been able to follow your seventh journey of ascension almost every step of the way. Now we wish you safety, satisfaction and serenity as you descend and travel homeward to your to your family. We are all very proud of you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yahoo! We are so happy everything went well. We can't wait to hear all the details. We're thrilled Bruce was able to realize his goal. We know it means so much to you guys.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congrats! I've been watching the "Everest; Beyond the Limit" series on Discovery Channel for the past few days. It is your same group leader, Russell Bryce, and his sherpas and others on an expedition in 2006. It has been really fun to watch that in concert with your assent. Friday night at the very hour you were summiting I was watching them summit on my DVR! Cool!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! We're so happy for Bruce, and you! That is so great. It will be great for you to get him home. We look forward to seeing the celebrity in person in a few weeks.
    Mike and Lee

    ReplyDelete
  12. Janet and I are overwhelmed and thrilled. Way to go -- both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yee-haw! That is totally amazing! I am honored to know him and the great Parker family!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congrats Bruce, what an accomplishment. Glad to hear you made it safely. Whats next? What an inspiration.
    Travis Burke

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hooray, hooray! Way to go, Bruce! And way to go JANET. You get my vote for wife of the YEAR!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Janet (and Burce), Thanks for keeping this blog going. It has been fun to watch it. And congradulations! Please let me know when you plan to have to seven summits slide and talk show. I will drive to Logan to see it. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete