Ready, steady, Cho Oyu… our first rotation and six days on ‘the hill’ to acclimatise for the summit bid has begun.
Me, Charlene and Rolfe are now at ‘Lake Camp’ at 6,000 metres for our second of two nights. Feel great so far which bodes well. Then Arthur and Kam are joining us to climb the newly christened ‘Killer Hill’ to Camp 1, at 6,500 ish – that’s close to my previous highest altitude, so should be interesting! From there we (depending on conditions) may climb the ice cliff and stay at Camp 1.5 or 2 at 7000m to acclimatise for the impending summit bid (don’t ask me when). Then back to ABC on the 22nd to sit and wait before the summit of Cho Oyu.
The Sherpa are busy fixing the route up the mountain and these amazing dudes work incredibly hard as it is. A few days ago when Thundu came to look after me he wouldn’t even let me help him pull the tent down or pour him a drink first! The guy guided Ran Fiennes up Everest. We’re loaded to the brim with heavy bags to stash gear at the high camps. Nothing I haven’t trained for, but if it was easy I wouldn’t be here.
Aside from an exploding coffee jar, dazzling sunsets, a landscape like a 3D-cinema, plenty of card games and trying to get our Austrian team mate to say “I’ll be back”, there’s not much happening at base camp so I’m excited to get going and start stretching my limits on this beauty.
P.S. I haven’t had a shower for 13 days so I’m halfway towards my record of 26!
Alex.
Hi Alex
Great to read all is going well and that you will soon be on the move again.
I pity those near you if you have gone 13 days without a shower!
Take care on the hill.
Colin
Mount Everest Facts
Keep going Buddy your nearly there… We are thinking of you and wishing you on. Maybe you should have got some Brut or old spice to keep the flies away… Keep going
Great to hear things are going well Al feel sure this time it’s going to be successful
Hope all still going well, you great, wonderful guy. Cheers Kate