After three days of walking to Lukla, the weather turned. We arrived and Lukla was shrouded in fog for the next 4 days. I soon regretted my decision to ‘walk out’ instead of what most people were doing: getting the helicopter down. I thought it would finish the mountain off properly. Although with hindsight maybe …
So I’m packing my tent stuff up now and feeling a bit sad. Earlier I felt like I’d ‘come home’ back to basecanp to my tent where I know exactly what’s in each pocket like we know at ‘home’ home what’s in every cupboard. This little piece of canvas has held my life for almost …
Saturday 19 May – Day 51- Departure from base camp: Start the 3 day walk out Read More »
So it’s the normal drill again. Up at stupid o’clock, drink a coffee and get suited up. I go outside for a pee before putting my harness on. It’s such a palaver. My hands are freezing in the glove liners but I can’t get zip of the rainbow flap of my underwear all in one …
We’ve been climbing steadily a couple of hours up towards the balcony which is where we hit the ‘corner’ of Everest and make a right turn all along the ridge line.We were moving well until a bit before hitting the balcony and we got caught up in a line of slow movers. We stop a …
Oh. My. God. The Lhotse face is the gift that’s just keeps on giving lol. Straight out of camp it’s another 600m of vertical ascent up the rest of the face. It’s very steep and then it tapers off to the left at the top and traverses over towards Everest.Oh the way up this last …
Wednesday 16 May – Day 48 – Arrival at the south col Read More »
We woke up and had breakfast of porridge then left at 9:30. It was hot today all the time so I walked in climbing pants and as I walked stripped off to my pyjamas on the top. I have the red ones on now. I think they’re warmer and they stop at the knee which …
Tuesday 15 May – Day 47 – Arrival again at camp 3 Read More »
After breakfast we packed our bags and I had my downsuit on as I didn’t want to carry it. The weather wasn’t great so it would be colder on this journey than the last time. We were leaving at 11am so I was in my tent reading my Kindle with gloves on. I’ve discovered when …
Monday 14 May – Day 46 – attempt to reach Camp 3 Read More »
I was awake just after 3am so I had half of a Duo chocolate bar. Get up time was 3:30 and I pulled on my climbing trousers over my pyjamas and a hooded top and insulated jacket, buff, gloves and hat. Then took my pre packed bag into the dining tent where Craig was. He …
Saturday 12 May – Day 44 – Last ascent through icefall and a fall Read More »
We woke up leisurely with the sun hitting the tent. It’s such a luxury to be able to get up when it’s warm instead of freezing cold. After breakfast of boiled egg and cornflakes with hot milk we packed up and left.Thank God this is the last time I will climb this bloody big wall. …
Wow, what a night that was. The wind was crazy and the snow came down sideways. Even in the morning it continued until about 8am. You would hear in the distance a sound like a train rattling and getting closer and closer until the tent started to shake violently. It was quite amazing. We had …
Friday 11 May – Day 43 – Rest day at base camp before summit push Read More »
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