Moving up

Getting closer to the mountain

Paul and Namgyal, Sukhi and Da'Oangchu head up to ABC

12 May - Some to ABC

Paul was ready to leave BC, relaxed and feeling great, he set off this morning at 7am or so, lanky legs striding off, Namgyal behind. Sukhi was more nervous, knowing that we don't have an interim camp, so she should make it to ABC today, and if she doesn't then she must make Changtse Base Camp, where we can send a tent and food down to her and Da'Oangchu.

*We have just received a message that Sukhi made it to ABC in one day, no problem.

We really don't want to stay at the normal interim Camp, even though we have use of a kitchen tent there. There just doesn't seem to be a source of clean water, even the ice is contaminated with years of yak dung on it. Perhaps that is where Moe got sick again?

Julian's jaw is getting better but he is still on the hunt for professional advice. Both Dawa and Temba are sounding hoarse, this morning Julian looked them over. Temba doesn't seem to have anything more other than the usual irritation from the cold, dry air. Dawa has tonsillitis so we have upped the dose of the antibiotics he was already on. It looks like Temba will head up tomorrow with some supply yaks, and myself and Moe. I am hoping to hold Dawa back a day or two more so that he is in top form when he does get to ABC but he hates being seen as sick. Logistically we still have a few loads that need carrying high up into place, but nothing too major, unless we mount a sudden summit push.

At 7:30am I saw a glint near the summit, that helicopter again.

Moe is feeling good and enjoyed a quick climb before lunch.

Julian is also involved in a medical research project and consequently has been visiting camps taking cheek swabs.

Julian at the BC plaque for some school alumni

Jamie

Jamie is strong and healthy even if he has yet to change his boxers from ABC! (His boxers, thermal top, pants - the only change has been socks and a shave!)

Come to think of it, perhaps I will have a wash. Bye!

PS which team should come into the tent as I was contemplating a wash; it turns out that a number of members are past my record.

Team Ogawa-Boealps Seattle

We are all sitting a small Mountain Hardwear tent thinking to reply to some emails, particularly to a school email. But we haven't got that far, joking and kidding and philosophizing is the norm. Heading up tomorrow had appeal until Friday the 13th was mentioned (Moe was born on Friday the 13th, so perhaps it is his 'lucky' day - and so was Karin, whose BIRTHDAY is tomorrow...) so the team may head up to ABC on the 14th? Al is feeling good, as is everyone else. Al is planning to climb on the mountain, but not too high; the rest of the team are still on track for a possible summit.