Base Camp at 7:00pm, May 31, 2009

The Moon Shining Over the Mountain



The Summit of Pisang Peak from Base Camp


I walk out of my tent to an amazing surprise: blue skies, a crescent moon, the beginnings of a sunset and 360 degree views of all of the peaks that had thus far eluded me. Dendi is standing outside with Dorgee—he has returned from high camp and thinks we should head for the summit at 3:00am. He tells me it will take about 10 hours to summit and return. I can’t contain my excitement. Now it is 9:30 pm and I am going to sleep hoping that the clouds don’t suddenly roll in and praying that if an avalanche should happen on Pisang, that it happen tonight before 3 am. I’m falling asleep to the sounds of thunderous rumblings all over the valley—they are avalanches falling.