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Posted (edited)

Trip: Mt. Rainier - Chasing Sherpa (on the DC)

 

Date: 8/16/2008

 

Trip Report:

Chasing Sherpa

 

Shortly after I mentally committed to doing another one-day solo of the DC on Sat., Aug. 16, I came across an article that mentioned Sherpa Lhakpa would be going for the speed record on the very same day. I decided I would go for my own personal acclimatized-at-sea-level-and-not-very-talented speed record.

 

It looked to be an epic battle.

In one corner we had:

One bad-ass Sherpa, acclimatized at 20,000 feet, breed from Himalayan mountain men...

In the other corner was:

One mediocre me, acclimatized at sea level, breed from pig hunters and money lenders...

 

The chase:

I left the Paradise parking lot at 12:04 am and had my camera ready for the inevitble photo of the Sherpa running past me. I hit the crater rim at 8:14 am with no sign of the Sherpa. After returning from the true summit, I came back to the summit registry to find out from the two climbers there (see picture) that I had just missed Sherpa Lhakpa. They even showed me a digital photo they snagged of him (see picture of Sherpa). I never saw him. I heard he made it to the top in something short of 4 hours, or, less than half the time as me. My acclimatized-at-sea-level-and-not-very-talented speed record wasn’t so impressive, but it was fun chasing a Sherpa.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2860125339_8cb8d8e2aa.jpg?v=0

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2860125489_10ca39c98d.jpg?v=0

 

(Sherpa picture removed per Sherpa's request)

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2860953296_a168bea189.jpg?v=0

 

 

Edited by BundledUpSurfer
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Posted

Huh? So he came to and left Register Rock while you were on the true summit? Sorry, but if he don't go to the summit, he didn't go to the summit. It might only be 100 yards, but it doesn't count in my book if he didn't finish.

 

Eight hours is a nice time- good job!

Posted

You told me about that when I ran into you on Baker the week after.... I was that kid in the funny sunglasses at the base of the North Ridge.

8 hours is pretty good! did that Sherpa Guy do the round trip in less than 5 hours?

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