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Gorak Shep, last stop before Everest base camp

April 3, 2006 By blogadmin

The snow covered trail to Gorak Shep. I am the last person.
The snow covered trail to Gorak Shep. I am the last person.

Location: Gorak Shep
Altitude: 5140m
Local Time: 8:30pm
Weather: Fine in the morning, snowing in the afternoon, -3C now

Hi All, it’s Paul coming to you from Gorak Shep, the last stop before Everest base camp.

Last night it snowed heavily and we thought we might have to stay in Lobuche another day, but in the morning it was fine again and there was about 1 foot of fresh snow. We donned our gaters and after about 2 hours of easy walking on the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier we arrived at Gorak Shep. After lunch it started to snow again, so we beat a hasty retreat to our tents.

Climbing Kala Patar
By 5pm the snow had stopped and although it was still cloudy, we decided to climb Kala Patar to see if we could see Everest. We climbed up and fortunately the clouds did clear a bit, but only enough for a small fleeting glimpse of the summit. I am sure there will be plenty of time to go back and get some good shots.

Off to Base Camp tomorrow
It’s snowing again now, but we are tucked into our warm sleeping bags inside our tent, having just had dinner. Tomorrow we are due to head into base camp and we are both really looking forward to see the place we will call home for the best part of the next two months.

To the Jordans, We don’t know when we will reach the summit, but based on the last few years it’s likely to be in the last half of May. At this stage though we aren’t thinking too much of the summit, more about getting to base camp in a healthy state, and then tackling the icefall.

Bye for now,
Paul.

We've Arrived at Base Camp!
Rest day in Lobuche

Filed Under: Everest 2006

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. June Nye says

    April 3, 2006 at 3:21 am

    Greetings, Fiona & Paul and all the climbers~~~~
    I am Dennis’ Aunt June and want to send my love and encouragement to him as well as all of you. Your e-mails are fantastic! Enjoy following your progress and am following the maps I have. Good luck to all. Keep healthy.
    …..

  2. MC says

    April 3, 2006 at 12:45 pm

    Great job, site administrator, it’s so nice to be able to see the pictures. Thank you.
    Well, as this section of the journey comes to a close, I am happy that it has gone so well. Good luck on the next stretch, especially on the icefall. I also hope the acclimazation process will stay right on course.
    MC
    …..

  3. Site Admin says

    April 3, 2006 at 12:58 pm

    Hi,
    We have moved to a new website hosting company that should serve our needs better.
    For the next couple of days you may see the website address “toadler.com” – don’t worry this is the official Paul & Fiona Everest website!
    In a few days we should be back to the normal “www.adlers.com.au”.
    We think we have also fixed the transmission problems with the pictures – fingers crossed!
    Regards.
    …..

  4. Zoe says

    April 3, 2006 at 2:00 pm

    Team Everest,
    I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed your postings over the last couple of weeks, and how impressed I am with your commitment to keeping us currently less-adventurous folk in the loop of your exploits. As Bridge attests to, I guess there is a lot of down-time in trekking!! ;o) I wish you the best of luck and success in your climb, what you are doing is truly inspirational, and I look forward to hearing some more stories first-hand.
    Zoe
    …..

  5. Emma Auld says

    April 3, 2006 at 2:02 pm

    GO TEAM!!!! Great to see that all is well and I look forward to the next installment. PS. Fi, trust me, you’re not missing anything at Uni (but I expect that’s blindingly obvious to you right now!). Take care and have fun, Emma
    …..

  6. Warren Halliday says

    April 3, 2006 at 2:03 pm

    Good luck to you both from all of us here at Norwood Secondary College in Ringwood, Victoria. Be careful on the glacier and icefall.
    …..

  7. Tamara Brown says

    April 4, 2006 at 2:04 am

    BRAVO! The pictures have returned!! As you read this you should all be settled into BC……..And now the adventure begins! Be safe and know that everyone has you in their thoughts and prayers.
    Happy 1 month anniversary, Dennis!
    Papia, Joe!
    …..

  8. Jo says

    April 4, 2006 at 8:54 am

    I am a non-climber but have had a passion for everything Everest since I had the pleasure of attending one of Bear Grylls talks a few years ago. A friend of mine told me about your website a couple of weeks ago and I have been hooked ever since, its fantastic. Just wanted to let you know that we are all praying for your safe summit and return to Base Camp. May God be with you all. Enjoy the view!
    …..

  9. Deb, Ned, and Holly Jordan says

    April 4, 2006 at 10:08 am

    Stay healthy and enjoy every day – May will come in its own good time, that’s for sure!
    …..

  10. Carlton Camms says

    April 4, 2006 at 10:09 am

    Dear Fiona and Paul
    As I said at Edges and Marcs do on 10/2/06 the thrill and challenge is in the jounrney not the destination.Raise the Aussie flag when you both get to the top ,then well open the champers.
    Remember the half filled glass is always half full, not half empty.
    …..

  11. Johanna says

    April 4, 2006 at 10:10 am

    Hi Paul & Fiona
    I have just spent a wonderful 1/2 hour reading your story from the time you left Melb. (Fiona, I sipped a REAL coffee while reading – sorry to make you jealous!) Have you thought about syndication? Or perhaps you will turn your tales into a best selling book when you return.
    Glad to hear that you are well and having such a great time. I am now looking forward to my morning fix each day.
    lots of love
    Johanna & Leo
    …..

  12. Joan Hammond says

    April 5, 2006 at 3:14 pm

    This message is sent for Betty Hanton.
    “Hello Fiona & Paul. Your most interesting voyage is so entertaining and descriptive – it all seems unbelievable! I am so proud of you both to have achieved the height so far “up the mountain”.
    My second visit to the Commonwealth games with Leah this time was in a wheel chair. It was marvellous, just as when Pa and I took your mother and Auntie Jill (then aged 9 and 6) to the Olympic Games here in 1956 and saw Betty Cuthbert and John Landy.
    I will buy some fresh donuts to share with you in June.
    Love from Nana.
    …..

  13. Jules says

    April 7, 2006 at 9:06 am

    Cant believe Pete got in with an inspirational message before me! Damn it! Elephants cant be eaten in one bite, but in lots of little ones… Keep on keeping on! Kisses, Jules
    …..

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