Location: Everest Base Camp
Altitude: 5350m
Local Time: Wed 12th April, 5:40pm
Weather: Mainly sunny and very windy, 5C
Hi all – Fiona here,
Paul and I are now back at base camp with the rest of the team.
Back at Base Camp
We hiked up today from Lobuche and were again pleasantly surprised to find that we’re making better times – despite the fact that it still feels like a lot of hard work! We got back to base camp in time for lunch – which was good as we’d been missing the base camp food. Although the lodge food is also good, we found that when we were ordering for ourselves, it seemed as though we don’t quite eat enough and after a few days, we were getting quite hungry.
All the climbers are now back at base camp – one guy is here to climb to Camp 2 but all the rest (16 in total) are here to make an attempt for the summit.
Selecting food for our first trip up to Camp 1
We heard today that the Icefall Doctors expect to finish putting the route in to Camp 1 by tomorrow, so the Sherpa team here is planning to follow them tomorrow and go up to set up Camp 1. This means that we could possibly go up to Camp 1 on Friday. However, we haven’t yet decided whether we will do this or wait longer so that Camp 2 is set up and we can go to both in the same trip (this would probably make the trip around 5 days in length). We’ll hopefully find out how far off Camp 2 is in the next day or so and make a decision then. It’s still very early in the season so there’s not really any rush as far as we can tell.
Right now though the Sherpa team is preparing their loads to take up to Camp 1 – possibly leaving tomorrow morning. So this afternoon we all had to put together a bag of food that we’d want to eat at this camp; 2-3 days worth. The food storage tent became a free-for-all as we all crowded in and started pulling things out of boxes like kids let loose in a candy store! There seems to be plenty of food here and lots of variety. We selected several instant dinners (some the US Army use and want tested at altitude), flavoured porridge packets, biscuits, cheese, beef jerky, plenty of chocolate bars, jubes, noodles, instant soups, instant mashed potato and nuts. Often at high altitude your appetite is reduced so a wide selection will hopefully ensure that we get enough calories into us.
The Sherpa team will also be taking up tents, sleeping rolls, sleeping bags and stoves for us to use at Camp 1.
The rest of our day was spent reading in our tent and drinking lots of hot chocolate in the dining tent.
While we were having a break down lower, our own Sherpas (Mingma and Dasona) went to visit their families – since there’s not a lot they can do now at the moment we thought there was no point them hanging around here and they might as well have a break while they can. They should be returning sometime today or tomorrow.
Your Messages
We’re still loving getting all your messages and apologise that we can’t respond to them all, but they do mean a lot to us.
Well done to Chris and Bridge for making it to Namche – hopefully you guys will be safely back in Kathmandu by the time you read this.
Nothing much else to report for now.
Cheers to everyone, Fi
I know you said there were lots of people in the food tent but the photo just shows Paul enjoying himself. Are you sure there were others there or is this just your cover story to cover all the missing food?
We love reading the updates as they come through each night. Have fun, love Dame and Beck.
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Hi Fiona & Paul
I’m glad that you’re eating well – the food looks all right but is it enough for Paul?? Also hope that you can get a good night’s sleep now.
I’ve just been to visit Nana and she’s thrilled with your postings – besides the copies I give her each week she gets updates from other people too.
We are going away for Easter – to Echuca with the Lucas, Tamlyn and Moulynox families so well have to find an internet cafe to catch up with your news. Jac & Mark will go to Blair.
Saw photos of baby Paige – she’s a beautiful baby and her mum & dad look quite happy too.
Last weekend at Blair. Milly didn’t get out or run away which was great.
I hope that the trip up to Camp 1 goes well and that you both feel good during and after the climb/trek. take care. lots of love Mum xxxx
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We have just had dinner with the Marshalls and the Goods – who say hi, love your updates and send their love.
I am doing lots of riding and steps..hope it’s enough. Worked out if I walk up the down and down the up escalators at Myer, then I can count this as part of my training. (I did get some funny looks though!!)
Enjoy your trip up the mountain if you do decide go. lots of love Dad and Mare xx
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Glad to know you are back at BC and hopefully heading to Camp 1 by the end of the week. We will be eager to hear that Chris and Bridge got out of Kathmandu safely. Our thoughts are with all of you, and special love to Dennis…Papia!
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Curious to know youngest and oldest of IMG group, all at base camp and sherpas. Thanks for sharing with us. Love to Dennis.
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Have had an amazing catch-up read of 10 days’ of your emails due to my laptop needing some tender loving care from an IT technician! What a picture you have given us of the enriched life you are leading at present! (I can’t help smiling a lot about the very human response of a marriage proposal being more nerve-wracking than the amazing physical challenges of climbing in the vicinity of Mt Everest! Go Chris! You sound like a wonderful human being cf Superman….) I must say, beyond reading of your amazing adventures, it’s great to enjoy the messages sent to you by so many different people around the world (Hi Tim, Inna, Boris & Tamara!!) Keep well guys!. Love from Anne & Ronnie.
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good luck guys on your climb to C1!
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Hello Fiona and Paul
I’m with Dame and Beck on the “cover story” for possible “missing food”. That photo looks pretty incriminating!
Well, your climb up to camp 1 will be the next phase of your exciting adventure!
Quote
In life, we make things happen, beautiful things happen to us and as we face the challenges, we learn. MC
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Hi Fi and Paul
I continue to look forward each morning to hear your daily news. You have many others following your journey from Ringwood. Of course we are off for the Easter break and I won’t be able to hear how you are going until Tuesday when I return – something I will look forward to. Keep very safe and well. Love to you both, Barb Johnston
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G’Day Mr&Mrs Hans,Brig&Gaz, Congratulations to Brig&Gaz awesome news, love reading your updates, hope all the chocolate fits in your bag, happy easter, enjoy,
All the best,
Scott
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Hi paul and fiona, i can’t get over how well organised the climbing trip people are – and I love the fact that you are the guinnea pigs for US army food! have a great easter (will the easter bunny come?).
lots of love, meals and danny
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Mmmm … instant mashed potato!
Enjoying the daily updates, thanks. Our thoughts are with you. Love, Dave & Janet. PS: Hopefully the Easter Bunny finds you at altitude!
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Hi from kathmandu! Got back this morning, and as far as we can tell, nothing’s different here – no curfew or strikes. People are out and about and the traffic is still mental. Even dodged a monkey on the way from the airport to the hotel in the taxi!
Love the take off from Lukla airport – plane goes to top of runway, propellers get a rev-up, it burns down the runway for about 3 seconds, and then takes off as the runway has finished at a cliff and it has to! Very exciting!
Passang was keen for your email address too, so you may get an email from him. He will also say hi if you’re around base camp next time he’s up there (hopefully 2 weeks if he gets more clients tomorrow).
Have watched BBC this morning in Hotel Tibet – don’t think we’ve missed out on anything major!
Chris is reading Anatoli Bourkreev’s book on the 96 disaster and he’ll give you a review soon.
Ok, we’re off to see if there any Easter Eggs in this buddhist town!
Chris and Bridget
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Food, glorious food!! That mouth-watering array should tempt the jaded palette. May the spirit of the mountain be with you as you venture onwards and upwards. Have a lovely Easter in your breathtakingly beautiful environment.
Glad to hear that Chris and bridge made it safely to seemingly peaceful Kathmandu – just shows you can’t believe everything you read in the media!
Love to all, jan XX
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I am impressed with your mental toughness,even more than your physical fitness – the waiting,the resting, acclimatising and deciding on your climbing plan is very testing I’m sure.
We are with you at every step, and send you lots of warm wishes to keep that fire of anticipation going!
I, of course, DO know a lot about waiting -waitng for John to come home when we are at parties , waiting for your mother to stop talking so that I can get a word in, waiting for your father to remember my name , etc, etc, so I have some inkling of your situation.
Lots of love, Sandy (and john)
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