Just arrived back at Everest Base Camp after our first rotation up the mountain. On the Wednesday (22nd) headed up to Camp 1 (6,000mts) via the notorious Ice Fall. We got up at 2:30am, breakfast at 3:00am and set-off at 4:00am. The early morning schedule is to minimize the risk of Ice Fall. The team made excellent speed and the route was good and well laddered. We pulled into Camp 1 very tried and happy around 10:00am. The rest of the day was spent recovering in the tents.
On Thursday (23rd) we hiked up the glacier to the point we could see Camp 2, and then turned back. This was an acclimatization hike.
At Camp 1 we share tents, and I am sharing with Matt (you can check his profile on Alpine Ascents cybercast). Not anything interesting to report from Camp 1 I am afraid.
On Friday we completed the short hike up to Camp 2 (6,400mts). The terrain was mild with not too many large carvasses to cross. We did this hike in around 3 hours. But very tried on arrival. I think the altitude is starting to show. I have also picked up a little bit of the Kumbu cough. So I pop lozenges every few hours. On Saturday we stayed over at Camp 2 with an acclimatization hike up to the beginning of the Lohste Ice Wall.
Last night and on our descent today (26th), we had very high winds. I mean high-winds created by the jet-stream. I am amazed our tents survived the night. Our toilet-tent did not.
But for now, Red team is back in EBC and we will rest up for the next 4-6 days. We of course listen to the Radios for how Blue team is doing. We will do the Lohste Ice wall on our second rotation.
Still incredibly sunny in EBC, so signing out.
