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Archer SE at Everest basecamp


Rob Turner

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Hello all...

 

I have been browsing these pages for a while but have never really had much to shout about... I wanted to see if anyone had used their rig above 5350 meters (17,550 feet) I'm at Everest Base Camp and have been using the rig to provide daily content for the ITV news back home.

 

There is less than half the oxygen than at sea level here, and just rolling over in bed leaves you breathless, but i was not going to miss the opportunity of getting some incredible pictures off my Archer SE.

 

I have only been in the rig for 30 mins at a time but it has left me almost useless for the rest of the day.

 

Any comments welcome.

 

Rob

Edited by Rob Turner
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very impressive as the highest I've been with a 50 lb pack is 12k ft, and a whimpy day pack at 14.5k ft -- I felt like an old man as I huffed and puffed and cursed myself for lack of training and too much beer! Is it crowded? It's probably a zoo this time of year (pretty small climbing window).

 

You might be the highest steadicam op in history...although I pride myself is being quite high on certain jobs...aybe you could strap the rig onto a sherpa and you walk beside him and operate?

 

Stay safe up there!

 

Ron

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hey again,

 

you can now see pics if you are outside the uk and video within at

 

http://www.itv.com/News/newsspecial/Everest/default.html

 

I'm really hoping to be the highest op in history - i have to at least have one claim to fame in my otherwise normal existance - but im sure its just a matter of time untill somone comes forward to knock me off my perch.

 

Base camp has been rammed with people, over 300 climbers this year and their window has been cut short by the Olympic torch. A few teams have left already although most look like they will be going over the next 2 or 3 days.

 

Im just here working, but i guess you would love it mate.

 

Rob

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I don't think I could ever do Everest -- even with the proper training (and $$$) the 1 in 6 odds of death might be a bit too much for me (even when high). But I've always dreamed of making it to Everest basecamp and trolling around there.

 

checking out the pics and video now.

 

rb

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Nice Job Rob! A full sized camera -- wow -- might be better to have a pilot and a smaller hd cam at such a hard place to breath. Maybe Ed Viesturs could wear the rig to the summit? Saw a reality show last year with helmet cams on the sherpas.

 

post-98-1211126928_thumb.jpg

 

post-98-1211126945_thumb.jpg

 

What did you do to train...you must be a climber to begin with?

 

rb

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wow. one of my lifes dreams is to climb everest! id do anything to work there (and get sombody to pay my way). steadicam, sure but even operate a regular camera!!!!!

 

hook a brother up!

 

congrats, good luck, stay safe, and bring me with you next time!!!

 

mm.

 

ps, if any of you guys get a line on one of those 'expedition alaska' or 'everest' or 'climbing k2' type jobs, i'll literally leave the show im on to go with and i dont care what the pay is.

 

ps#2, since knowbody else chimed in, i'll go ahead and declare you the worlds highest steadicam (until sombody says otherwise)... congrats!

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Hey guys,

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

 

Cheers Ron for adding the pictures, and Mike thanks for the declaration, big smiles at Base Camp !

 

The wind here is not so bad as Base Camp is sheltered on 3 sides. The weather is crazy here, blistering bright sun in the morning and then generally about 3pm the cloud sets in and we get the odd bit of snow fall.

 

Protecting all the kit is an issue. it goes from about -15C overnight to +35/40C within about an hour in the morning. condesation forms on anything exposed. So all the kit must go into is case overnight... a bit of a pian in the ass.

 

I'm using Anton beauer Hytron 140 batteries with the camera, and Steadicam power cubes on the rig - because both of these are Lithium ion the cold is not really an issue. The new power cubes are great.

 

We are using head cams (model POV1) on the climber we are following, in their inital climbs we got some amazing/scary pictures as he went over the ladders in the icefall. he starts the climb for real tomorrow weather permiting.

 

Ron, I'm not a climber but like to think I'm pretty fit. The reporter and I got this gig because we followed the same guy last year as he climbed the North face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. It was there I first used my rig at any kind of height near the top of Mt. Blanc. - cable car all the way, lol.

 

I'm not going any higher than Base Camp, but I do think you have to be a special type of crazy to go up the hill... I might not be it, but still think anyone who can get to the top has to have our respect.

 

Rob

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Hi Rob

 

I come into contact with Steadicam used in some pretty unusual places but this must be one of the "greats". Congratulations, look me up when you get back if you have time.

 

Robin

 

On the TIFFEN website a cool reportage and more pictures to see :

 

http://www.tiffen.com/steadicam_top_ofthe_world.htm

 

Erik

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Hey guys,

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

 

Cheers Ron for adding the pictures, and Mike thanks for the declaration, big smiles at Base Camp !

 

The wind here is not so bad as Base Camp is sheltered on 3 sides. The weather is crazy here, blistering bright sun in the morning and then generally about 3pm the cloud sets in and we get the odd bit of snow fall.

 

Protecting all the kit is an issue. it goes from about -15C overnight to +35/40C within about an hour in the morning. condesation forms on anything exposed. So all the kit must go into is case overnight... a bit of a pian in the ass.

 

I'm using Anton beauer Hytron 140 batteries with the camera, and Steadicam power cubes on the rig - because both of these are Lithium ion the cold is not really an issue. The new power cubes are great.

 

We are using head cams (model POV1) on the climber we are following, in their inital climbs we got some amazing/scary pictures as he went over the ladders in the icefall. he starts the climb for real tomorrow weather permiting.

 

Ron, I'm not a climber but like to think I'm pretty fit. The reporter and I got this gig because we followed the same guy last year as he climbed the North face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. It was there I first used my rig at any kind of height near the top of Mt. Blanc. - cable car all the way, lol.

 

I'm not going any higher than Base Camp, but I do think you have to be a special type of crazy to go up the hill... I might not be it, but still think anyone who can get to the top has to have our respect.

 

Rob

 

Yo Rob,

 

Congrads . . . . .!!!

 

Dude I just like the fact that your giving the your Archer SE props for being there . . .LOL . . .I guess that's a testament to the well made equipment by GB and Co.

 

I just got back from a 5 continent, 10 country trip operating my EFP frankin rig and one of the stops was at 14,700 feet, lots of the crew didn't feel well myself excluded but I can't imagine 17 or 18,000 you rock . . . .

 

I'm going with you as the highest steadicam operating cameraman !

 

All in favor say "I"

 

Fly Safe . . .

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Nice Job Rob! A full sized camera -- wow -- might be better to have a pilot and a smaller hd cam at such a hard place to breath. Maybe Ed Viesturs could wear the rig to the summit? Saw a reality show last year with helmet cams on the sherpas.

 

post-98-1211126928_thumb.jpg

 

post-98-1211126945_thumb.jpg

 

What did you do to train...you must be a climber to begin with?

 

rb

 

 

when you go to the Everest does not change beams to it your, incredible work arrives there

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