Today after walking for 8 hours we reached base camp on Island Peak. It was a welcome sight. We’d set off at 7 am and stopped for lunch at Chhukhung (4730m) and continued on only stopping for short water breaks and to have a pee behind a rock. We reached base camp about 3.30pm. A bit further down the mountain ( maybe 300m) we can see many other tents, all climbers also getting ready to climb Island Peak. They’re in the valley at the bottom of the glacier where the cold air blows through and we’ve come a bit higher up the mountain to get out of the cold trough. It’s like a little mini city down there and up here we have it all to ourselves. We have a toilet tent and a dining tent. When we arrived the sherpas had our tents up and hot pineapple juice ready. They brought us popcorn (everywhere we go, amuse bouche appears to be popcorn) and little crackers with cheese and tomato. I was reunited with my big duffel bag which had been sent ahead on yaks. In it I have my crampons, Ice axe, helmet, climbing hardware and big boots. Also now I have my book, body wash that you don’t need water for, razor, small towel, small hair brush and a lovely stash of chocolate and nuts. These are luxury items I didn’t want to carry myself. So in my tent I had a lovely
Body wash, brushed my hair for the first time In over a week and shaved under my arms. Man it feels so good. I feel human and half clean again lol.
At night we have to pee in a bottle in the tent. It’s too cold and difficult to get puffy clothes and boots on to go outside. You just make sure your pee bottle is a different colour to your drinking water bottles lol. My pee bottle is green and my drinking bottles are blue. Then you empty it outside in the morning.
Tomorrow is a rest day, we just do some training but no hiking or climbing. I’m really enjoying this. I haven’t had any moments yet where I’ve thought I can’t do this or I’m not having fun. But I know they are ahead. Waiting. 
In the dining tent. With the lovely Sam and Bob.Tents further down below us in the valley at Island Peak Base Camp 
In my Feathered Friends sleeping bag.