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ABC nearly dry

If you are going to fail, you might as well have fun doing it

6 Oct - Julie and the dog

Around the 1st of Oct Janet heard howling the night, though we teased her that it was unlikely to have been a wolf. Turns out she wasn't hearing things, a dog had fallen in a hole and couldn't get out. You would think that a dog down a hole would like a paw out, but no, Tibetan Mastiffs are stupid. Incredibly stupid. Andrew and Julie found the dog, and despite the risks lowered Julie in to help. The dog didn't like her, even when they fed it some muesli bars, and wouldn't accept help. Perhaps Our Tibetans and sherpas will have a better chance.

(And in fact they did get it out using a three rope system, and it only bit Namgyal once.)

6 Oct - we almost drink ABC dry

If we had tried, and been selfish, we could have drunk ABC dry but the sherpas might still want a beer after tomorrow's last bit of hard work, clearing the rest of Camp 1 and Depot Camp.

One person asked of a climbing member, "So, what do your talk about for over a month together?". I have to say that at least 50% of it can't be repeated, nor is politically correct. And we will need house training when back to "civilization", no more pee bottles, no more sleeping on the ground. Here are a few excerpts from dinner...

The beer flows freely, Tristan to Alan, "Its Ok, I will take you to bed" - Jamie

Martin's reply "He will be scared of Santa Claus (Alan and his white beard, red jacket) for ever".

Is Jen's jacket too hot for our warm dining tent? - Jamie

Ursula ace server - Jamie

Tristan, controlled drinker - Jamie

Despite Martin's best attempts - Mark

Never mind the beer, Francis tries unsuccessfully to finish the pasta; the pizza is already done,
but we still have Nutella left, how is that? - Jamie

The "See you again" cake; Gord's "Blow job needed",
and Gord, Clive and Francis, the highest climbers are blowing - Jamie

Clive: "Who your favourite dictator?". Two wags immediately suggested Jamie McG.

Superficially their jackets do look the same, Gord's "9000m" North Face jacket, and Anne's Feathered Friends,
but they really are quite different. He also has a beard; she doesn't - Jamie

7 Oct - eight bail

Surprisingly, I don't think anyone had a hangover. Today Alan A, Andrew Lock, Julie, Joe C, Joe F, Ursula, Martin and Mark left, taking less than 4 hours in a freezing wind to reach BC, and they are now on their way to Zhangmu. Tomorrow, 8 Oct, they should arrive in Kathmandu.

7 Oct - clearing C1

We woke to a fine and cold morning, but any thoughts that we might have missed a summit window were blown away by the fact that the four sherpas heading to Camp 1 were indeed bowled over by some of the gusts.