 The Dolbeares currently live in Golden, Colo., but were Lincoln
residents during the late '80s and early '90s while they were both
attending Lincoln Christian University (which was then Lincoln
Christian College).
Kris and Nathan arrived in Kathmundu on March 26, discovering
numerous cultural and geographical wonders. After signing a bunch of
paperwork, they headed for the hills.
They took a short flight to Lukla and began their hike and
conditioning to first climb the lower Mount Labouche. They arrived
in Namche on April 3 and then began their two-week hike to the
Labouche base camp. They got their first view of Everest that day
and remarked, "It's big!"
The next village, six miles farther, Pheriche, sits at about
14,000 feet, above tree level. During the trek to reach Pheriche,
they were slowly becoming acclimatized to the change in elevation
and temperatures. At Pheriche there is a persistent wind and
chillier temps.
On April 5, they left Pheriche for the Labouche base camp. For
the next three days they lacked the means to communicate because
phone and Internet communications were not present. By April 15,
they had moved from the Labouche base camp to the Mount Everest base
camp, where there was Wi-Fi and phone.
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On April 14, the Dolbeares climbed to the 20,000-foot level on
Mount Labouche East and then encountered a snowstorm on their way
down, making for a very challenging descent.
The next day, Kris and Nathan Dolbeare parted — Kris to begin the
long journey home to Colorado, while Nathan journeyed on to climb
Mount Everest.
On April 16, Nathan Dolbeare commented that there were hot
showers at the Everest base camp, a luxury for sure. He remarked
that you burn calories like crazy there on the side of the
mountain, with a two-course breakfast, two-course lunch and a
three-course supper. In addition to these meals, they were
constantly snacking. In spite of all the eating, he said they
were all getting skinnier.
While at the base camp, Nathan tried to grow a beard, thinking he
would look good in one. But after looking in a mirror, he discovered
that the beard did little for his appearance.
The climbing team took a rest day on April 17 and were awakened
early on April 18 when an avalanche took the lives of 18 on the
mountain, including 12 Sherpa guides. Numerous others were injured.
Recovery efforts were still underway the next day. Nathan escaped
injury.
Nathan and the team are now taking several days to lie low before
continuing. Both Nathan and Kris ask for your prayers.
[By JIM YOUNGQUIST — with information provided by
the Dolbeares via Facebook]
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