As a follow up, this was an interesting trip with a lot of firsts for me. Besides just leading a group of two new climbers who I've been working with for a couple of months, a fourth member of the party had never been on a big mountain before, had never climbed, and I had never met in person was also coming with. The guys all did very well and we actually made good time on each leg of the trip.

We did in fact summit, which I will admit I was surprised by. I had my doubts about altitude sickness and once we were up there weather also became a factor. On our move up to the high camp a lot of people were coming down saying the wind was too much. Some professionally guided parties were leaving the high camp saying that they were expecting 70mph winds that night. We decided to continue and set up know we might have to leave if things got really shitty. The wind was pretty bad all night, to the point that I had convinced myself that we would have to head straight home the next morning. But as luck would have it the wind died down about 1am and I made the call to at least give it a shot. It was eerie to be the only team on the mountain. I saw no other parties anywhere on out side of the mountain, we were totally self reliant as there was no one we could turn to for help in an accident. The entire clime was very cold and windy but was actually in great condition with the climbing much more direct than two years ago.

Overall I'd say we had a good time and that isn't to say that we didn't get frustrated at times with each other. Sometimes pretty angry, but climbing is a hard activity which leaves you cold, tired, hungry and physically and emotionally drained at the end of a trip.

I'm glad for a break for a bit, from climbing, riding, camping... not being at home on weekends for a couple months now. But I am wondering what my next big adventure will be, and when I'll be ready for it.