|
 Mt.
Everest Base Camp at over 17,500 feet is surrounded by the
great ice cliffs of Mt. Pumori, Nuptse and the infamous Khumbu
Ice Fall. On our first morning here, after a night of sleeping
on the ice, we were truly amazed at the wonders around us.
We have set up our camp beside the Khumbu glacier and are
staring straight up the Ice Fall. The sounds of moving ice
and avalanches keep us on guard at all times and remind us
of the great people who have ventured into this region over
the years, pushing themselves to the limit and inspiring others.
The Lama, our Sherpa friends and several team members prepared
the most inspiring and revitalizing Puja ceremony I have ever
seen. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was crystal clear
and the mountains were sharp, majestic and so beautiful.
 In
the tradition of the Sherpa culture, we hung Tibetan Buddhist
prayer flags and made offerings to the Everest gods for continued
safe passage in the mountains. Our climbing gear was blessed
by the Lama. We took time to pray and be thankful for all
the things we have in our lives. The smoke from the burning
juniper released all the good wishes and positive feelings
that have felt throughout this expedition to the heavens.
The local drink chhang was then enjoyed by all members in
true Sherpa fashion.
We read your emails nightly and are truly inspired. We cannot
thank you enough for the support that allowed us to push  through
not only some of the most extreme natural obstacles, but significant
internal barriers, as well, which often prevent people from
realizing their true potential.
Your support in accomplishing our goal stands as a true testimony
that the freedom to explore is a freedom that can be enjoyed
by all. We hiked, rolled, carried, and limped our way to Base
Camp, cold and extremely tired. But when people work together
as a team, dreams can be realized.
I want to thank the folks we met on our journey to Base Camp
- members of the Korean, Japanese, American and French expeditions,
as well as all the trekkers from around the world. Everyone
has been so supportive of our mission: to show that the potential
of all people, regardless of their ability or disability,
can never be underestimated.
Although we are at Base Camp, please continue to support
the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and Team Everest
'03 in every way you possibly can. We need your Emails
to keep us going, and we need your financial
support to keep the mission alive!
 We
are about to embark on our next adventure - ice climbing on
the Khumbu glacier. The high altitude climbing Sherpas have
felt the power of Team Everest '03 and many of them are arriving
into our camp with ropes, screws and ice axes. Everyone on
our Expedition - and I mean EVERYONE - will get to experience
climbing on a very safe part of the glacier. So stay tuned!
See a slide
show by Dallas Morning News photographer Erich Schlegel
that will completely and utterly blow your mind!
Thank you again on behalf of the entire team. We know that
you are here with us.
Signing off from Everest Base Camp,
Gary Guller
TE '03 still needs to raise
funds to cover expedition costs. Hope you can attend the
Thursday, April 17 Challenge Trek Team Homecoming and fundraiser,
from 6-10 pm at Mother Egan's, 715 W. 6th St., Austin. The
event will feature top local musicians.
Also on April 17, you are invited to attend a panel discussion
and press conference with trek team members at 10:00 am, at
the CTD offices. Call 512/478-3366 or Email
for details about both events.
 Contact
Dennis Borel at 512/478-3366 M-F (other times at 512/431-1656
or 512/443-6038) or dborel@cotwd.org
for a media kit, sponsorship opportunities and to learn more
about TE '03 and the advocacy work of CTD.
The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities is dedicated to
ensuring that people with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities
to live, work, play, and participate fully in the community
of their choice. CTD has consistently delivered important
results for persons with disabilities for the past 24 years,
and needs your support to fight the discrimination that faces
individuals with disabilities in almost every aspect of their
lives.
|
