Location: Camp 2
Altitude: 6425m
Local Time: 17:00, May 18
Weather: Clear in the morning, windy in the afternoon, min -12C
Hi all, It’s Paul here.
We woke this morning to news that several members of the IMG team have summited, along with some Sherpas. This was extremely uplifting for us at C2 and very exciting. To read more about it go to the IMG web site.
Resting and getting ready at C2
Last night we got a really good sleep at C2, and we slept in to 10am! This was a good sign of our acclimatisation progress as I hadn’t had a good night sleep at C2 yet. We have been trying hard to rehydrate ourselves, as well as eat lots. This afternoon we have packed up our gear ready for our 5am planned departure for C3 tomorrow.
The Weather
The weather forecast isn’t so good, with higher winds predicted on May 20/21, which is right when we are planning to summit. There is also a forecast for more snow. The forecast for the period following is for increasing winds as well. We are hoping that we can just sneak the summit in before the weather turns sour.
Your Messages
Thanks for everyone’s messages of support and encouragement – you don’t know how helpful they are to us.
All messages for Den have been passed on.
John C, We have vacuum flasks for keeping our liquids from freezing.
Hi Joseph Acero, We have 2 digital cameras and a video camera with us. We plan to leave at 9pm from the South Col.
Hi Mal, It will be interesting to see how we fare in the races when we get back home. I would guess not too good as the muscles have deteriorated!!
Hi Jill U, I have heard that most things left by people on the summit get blown away with the jetstream winds.
Hi Paula & Steve, We feel confident that we are physically ready, but we just need the weather gods to look favourably on us. As I write this the wind is picking up! Hopefully it blows itself out by the time we are there.
Hi Lou & Chris, Yes we have the 4 leaf clover inside Fiona’s pack.
Hi Kyna & Mal, Great to hear your news. Congratulations.
Hi Liz, I would say most climbers are in their 40’s and 50’s. If we return to C4 with plenty of time and still feel good, we will descend to C3 or even C2. Otherwise we’ll stay at C4 for the night.
Hi Tahlia & Paige – thanks for writing.
To everyone else that left messages, thank you very much.
Paul.
You can visit the IMG site mentioned above here http://www.mountainguides.com/everest06/everest06.html
Well done guys – so excited for you. Heard your interview today Fiz – was so good to hear your voice. Speak to you soon! Jac
Hi Fi and Paul,
I just wanted to wish you the best of luck for the next stage of your journey. I cannot express how in awe I am of you both- you are truly inspirational!
Keep climbing hard- I will be cheering you on all the way!
Love Em x
Are you trying to frighten your poor Dad to death!! The ladder is unbelievable.What would Health and Safety say! Judging by the pictures the weather is still looking fine, so we will keep our fingers crossed.Up and up with love, Dad xx
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Well done Fiona and Paul.Congratulations. You are getting closer all the time. Fantastic photos today but Oh! so scary for the armchair mountaineers. Take care, rest up well, we look forward to the next exciting chapter of your adventure. I pray that the weather is kind to you.
Glenda.
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Wow, those pictures are unreal. You guys are amazing – to do it with such grace and strength. Keep it up, rest, and more prayers that the weather holds for you. May I ask what your plans are if the weather doesn’t prove ideal this week? Gosh, it all sounds so fascinating. Wishing you both the BEST!
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Hi Fiona & Paul,
Great going…. not sure about the ladder with only one leg on the ice!! But at least you were clipped on. Having a good night’s sleep up there augurs well for you. Hope the weather doesn’t deteriorate too much – climb well but stay safe!!
All our love, Mum & Dad
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Hi Paul & Fiona,
Well the pics just get more amazing. That ladder is a shocker. Very gutsy effort! I am just so impressed with your positive approach to the many obsticles put before you on this wonderous journey. All the power to you and the other team members. Your smiles say it all… Onward, upward and enjoy! Wishing you every success!
>Phil
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Sorry about previous question on the schedule, I saw answer when I visited IMG’s site. With people coming from the north side and you all from the south, it sounds like at some time there could be standing room only at the summit, correct? Hopefully, not on your summit.
You two are fabulous and enormous inspiration, and you look good in the pics, always smiling.
Take care and God bless.
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Hi. Take care – Steady feet, sure heart, level head. Wishing you blue skies and a gentle wind.
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Hi, With our namesake, Mark Inglis doing it with no legs you 2 should bolt it in or up, with 4 legs between you! May there be calm weather for your attempt, love and warm thoughts.
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Hi Mary ! John says you are still at base camp. It should be quite cold ? I read every day news from Paul & Fiona. It’s quite exciting ! With my best regards from Paris
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Hi Guys,
Best of luck over the next couple of days, hopefully everything falls into place for you after the relentless planning. Good to hear IMG members have summitted.
We are finally moving tomorrow and looking forward to being in a bigger house as it’s getting very crowded here with two kids.
Brad, Trace, Madi & Paige
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Hi Paul & Fiona,
WOW! very nice pictures today. That ladder holding on one leg seems dangerous!! I would also like to congradulate every members of your team who as summited so far! I you could give my congradulation to JF Carry, a fellow Canadian, it would be very much appreciated!
Good luck to both of you, I hope that the weather will stay favorable for your summit bid.
Montreal, Canada
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Hi Paul and Fiona,
Words like “wobbly ladders” and “just sneak the summit in before the weather turns sour” makes us feel a little anxious but your smiles say it all and put us at ease. We know also that you two compliment each other beautifully and you cleary achieve great things and make sound decisions together. The four leaf clover will take care of the rest. Great interview Fiona. Amazing how different you sound – less breathless. I am sure there are many women out there now who will never look at a funnel in the same way again 🙂 Have fun, love Dame and Beck
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Dear Fiona and Paul,
Thank you for the journal you are making. It is affording us some relief knowing what is going on daily. Since Dennis Kellner is part of the team that you are on, we know what is transpiring. Not knowing would be rather difficult. Thanks for all your hard work. It amazes us that you can shoot images,write daily episodes,and concentrate on climbing.
So god be with you every step of the way.
Tell Dennis, if you would, that we are really proud of him. Please give him our love. Our prayers are with him that he makes the Summit and returns safely.
Hugs,
Larry and Marianne B
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Fiona and Paul
I have just one thought at this moment…good weather window with little wind! That’s it!
Wishing you ALL THE BEST. Keep staying positive…your “positive” attitudes are tremendous – MC
p.s. Again, absolutely amazing photos of Fiona climbing the wobbly ladder and Paul climbing out of the crevasse.
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P & F and All:
My thoughts concur with MC……..nuff said!
Climb safe, climb strong! We love you all!
Tam
(p.s. to MC: We think alike! I hope to meet up with you someday…….)
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I look forward to your daily updates, and I wish you the best of luck. It sounds like an amazing experience. Good luck to you both, I’m sure you will make it.
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Hi Fi & Paul
Great photos today! Wow, is all I can say. Beware of wobbly ladders from here on out!
I am so excited for you as you leave C2. All the hard work and preparation comes down to this. You two are so strong at this point, just watch out for one another. Make good decisions. Climb strong. And keep an eye on the weather at all times.
I’ll be thinking of you both every step and winging small prayers on your behalf constantly.
Picturing you on the summit already!
All my hopes for success…..
Mark R
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P.S. Fi, good point about photos of The Balcony and South Summit and darkness. I just read you’ll leave the South Col at 9 pm. With luck that would put you at The Balcony about 2 or 3 am. Then the South Summit before sunrise. From there, photos of the Hillary Step and summit will be in brilliant sun hopefully. Put safety above all else, but if you’re strong on the way down, photos of some of these spots would be amazing.
Guys, we are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather window stays good for you. We’ll continue to use up lots of norweigan bandwidth over the weekend with Marc to follow your progress. We’re all planning to go rock climbing here on Sunday if it actually stops raining. There are some hard areas near Bergen, but we’ll be remembering that they’re not quite the Hillary Step!!
Chris and Bridget
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Hi Fiona & Paul, I hope you have a successful climb, the weather stays fine and are able to reach the summit. We are all thinking of you at this time and wishing you all the very best, love Aunty Jill, Robyn, Michael
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Hi Guys, I concur with Jac, it was great to hear your voice in the interview Fi. You sound so well. Both of you congratulations on your acheivements so far. Thinking of you always. Rach xoxo
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G’day,
So thrilling to hear all the progress you’re making. Enjoy the moment!
Kerry xoxo
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Dear Paul & Fi, Fingers crossed for the weather conditions guys. Watching your every step and so very proud. Lots of love, Dave.
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Hi Fiona & Paul,
Amazing!! You are living the dream! Stay focussed and keep safe. Thinking of you both.
Kay, John, Sacha, Jo
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So proud of you both! Fingers, toes and all other body parts crossed for fine weather. Will be waiting with baitted breath over the weekend for updates. You will be in my thoughts. PS That ladder gave me heart palpitations just looking at the photos!
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Hi Fiona and Paul,
So far so good hey! Best of luck for the rest of your climb, anxious times for us and I find myself checking your site way too frequently…but such exciting times for both of you. This is what you’ve both worked so hard for so embrace it and go for it! With love, Jacqueline xo
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Hi Paul & Fiona,
I read about what you guys were up to in the Leonardian a few weeks ago. Since then I have been checking your site regularly to see how things are going. You are truly inspirational! Good luck over the weekend, hope the weather holds out. Look forward to hearing all about it at the 15 year reunion next year!
Cheers,
Lee
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Hi Paul & Fi,
Best of luck with the final push to the summit! Hope all goes well, though as a word of advise: stay clear of wobbly ladders – those photos look pretty scarry!
Make sure you take some shots from the top of the world and send them back to us.
Cheers,
Jason
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Hi Paul & Fiona,
I can’t really say much more than anyone else – but keep up the good work and best of luck for the coming days. I will be eagerly checking the website over the weekend for any updates.
Fiona, we listened to your interview and you sounded great – who would have thought you were on the other side of the world, it sounded as if you were just around the corner. Can’t believe the difference since the last interview.
Good luck and may the 4 leaf clover work its magic!
Lots of love,
Lou and Chris
P.S. hi to Mum, hope all is still going well at BC.
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Hi Guys
Our thoughts are with you at this exciting time. We hope that the weather holds out and that you summit safely in the next couple of days.
DP,Maddi, Zac & Sienna
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Fantastic to see a fellow Ringwood High graduate reaching the top of the globe. Good luck and stay safe.
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Hi paul and Fiona The Summit is up. Best of luck to you both. as your Dad says Paul, do the issue safety certificates for the ladders etc. Love Max and Judy
P.S. Hi mary
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Hi Fiona and Paul,
Listened to your interview – inspirational. I think its all been said today, but as I’m still hanging on tight in the backpack, good luck and enjoy the next few days! Hope the weather holds.
Phil M
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Hi Mary. Have just chatted to John on the phone and he sounds in great spirits, planning your next trip and missing you heaps, of course.
Congratulations to Fiona on the terrific ABC radio interview this week. All good wishes to Paul and Fiona for continued success with their exciting adventure. Love Cheryl and Family
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Hello Paul& Fiona. DITTO DITO DITTO on what all the previous readers have posted. You truly are an inspiration to all of us. We wish yo
u continued success and safety. Cheers—Valerie
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To paul and fi thank’s for writing back bye the way my birthday is on the 21 of may i hope you make it in time bye for now
be safe good luck
paige
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WOW! I heard an interview the other day on 774am with Fiona and the thrill of what you both are doing overcame me and had to look up your web site. I have no advice to give you but I know the special feeling of what it is to be like of where you are. My husband is Tibetan and his brother being 20yrs old is on the tibetan side of base camp with my wedding present which was a yak my father in law gave me named Dongpo. My brother in law is taking westerners from Tingri western Tibet to base camp in Tibet, taking their gear via my poor Dongpo. his name is Tenzin Norbu, speaks no english but if anyone your way is going to Tibetan side and runs into him, please send him our Tashi Delek! Please take care of you two and your in the land of the gods there, how fantastic! We have a 10 month old daughter named Lhamo which means we wont be climbing any mountains for a few years. Again, how exciting and you will never forget where you are and the feeling you have now, like ummm breathlessness, but just beauty and at the same time contentment.
take care, Love Rebecca & Sonam
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