Location: Camp 2
Altitude: 6,425m
Local Time: 5:30pm, 17th May
Weather: Sunny & very hot in the cwm
Hi everyone, it’s Fi here – now back up at Camp 2 for the 3rd time.
We left base camp at around 5am this morning and have successfully managed to negotiate the icefall once more – although this is really more good luck than good management! With a bit more luck, we’ll only have one more trip through – on our way back down. Mary did get up with us and also walked the 20 minutes to the start of the icefall where we put on our crampons. It was great have her wave us off.
Today’s Climb
We climbed straight from base camp to camp 2 today – rather than stopping at camp 1 as we have done on our previous trips up. The acclimatisation is definitely working as we both felt much stronger getting through the icefall and to camp 1. However, not long after that we were hit by the sun and it’s million magnifications that seem to occur here in the cwm.
It was absolutely roasting – sapping our energy and causing our pace to slow down to a crawl. We stripped down so that we were only wearing a light shirt (long sleeves to avoid sunburn), and opened our gortex overalls right up at the legs – the flared effect made us look like we’d just stepped out from a 70’s party! Even still, I was continually stopping to pick up handfuls of snow and shove them down my neck and inside my sun hat. I never imagined that it could be that hot up here!
I put my MP3 player on and plugged on – one step at a time. The eclectic mix of Abba, U2, Andrea Bochelli, the Rent soundtrack and even some Opera somehow kept me going.
Camp 2
Many breaks later, we staggered into Camp 2 (so frustrating that our tents are at the far end of camp!). As usual we were greeted by the friendly Sherpa cooks with a cup of orange juice. Not long afterwards it was time for lunch – tomato soup followed by an egg-rice mixture and a piece of tinned meat.
Since then, we’ve been napping in our tent and I’ve been trying to get rid of a headache that the heat, or possibly dehydration, seems to have brought on.
We plan to rest here tomorrow and assess the weather forecasts, then to decide on whether we go up to Camp 3 on Friday.
By the way, we plan to continue sending our own updates until summit day itself. Will be interesting to see if we can send an update out from 8000m (at Camp 4).
Action Time
It’s starting to get very exciting around here as many groups are now gearing up for their summit attempts. One group was trying today – haven’t heard yet whether they were successful. We’re hoping they were – both for their sake, and because that will mean that the fixed lines will be put in place to the summit. At the moment I believe that the lines have been fixed to the Balcony (about half way on summit day). We don’t particularly want to be attempting our summit the day the fixing is taking place. There are also teams poised for their summit attempts tonight and tomorrow night (weather permitting of course). We’re looking forward to seeing how everyone goes.
A few days ago we heard that many teams have started to summit from the North (Tibetan) side. Congratulations to everyone there. (Maybe we should have tried from that side after all??)
Your Messages
Paula – not sure which Apa you mean (it’s a pretty common name here). If you happen to mean Apa from Asian Trekking, we saw him heading up on the trail today.
MC – thanks for your message. Most of the meals we take up high seem to taste pretty good. But we did have one that reminded me of vomit! We’re mainly sticking to the ones we have tried and like now.
Stephen – thanks for your message and the book suggestion – sounds right up Paul’s alley!
Scott – not sure what other people do about cameras for the top, but we have two digital cameras (no film back up). We’ve bought Lithium batteries and will keep the cameras inside our down suits – so hopefully they’ll work. Time shall tell.
Hi to everyone at Canterbury Primary School. Thanks for your message and your best wishes – we’ll need them all!
Hi Donna and the Thomas family – thanks for your message and kind thoughts.
Hi Meals & Danny – we read about the NZ double amputee before we left. Great that he’s achieved his goal here. Look forward to reading about him when we return.
Mark R – don’t worry, we’ll be doing our best to take as many photos as possible. My guess is that there are not a lot of the shots you mention because it is pretty dark when most people climb through those areas, and they are exhausted when they climb down. We’ll see how we go (and will be happy to provide high res copies once we’re on a high speed connection at home). Thanks for your messages.
Hi Carlinea & Josh – thanks for your message and give a big HI to the MBS crowd for me.
Hi Anneke – Paul does remember you and was thrilled to hear from you. We were also here in January (1996) and couldn’t make it to base camp then due to the trails and towns being shut down for the winter. Thanks for your kind message.
Dena – Lovely to hear from you again and know that you are still “with us” so to speak. Stay tuned – we intend to keep you updated until we finish here.
Chris & Bridget – thanks for your messages. It’s great hearing what you’re up to. We won’t ask if you’ve set a date yet (know how annoying that is!)
Hi Kate & Benno – thanks for your great messages. The IMG trip is sold as “unguided” which means that we largely make decisions about when to go etc, on our own. We liked the idea of this style as the whole team doesn’t have to move in a group (we thought this could be a problem if you were sick for a while and couldn’t go, then you’d just have to miss out). Having said that though, there is lots of Everest experience within the IMG structure and plenty of people we can turn to for advice. Hope you’re all doing well.
Hi Leah – thanks for your lovely message – presume Bali went well?
Jacci – definite Bride Brain. You have already asked me, and I have already told you I’d be thrilled to do it. Maybe a bit of a lie down is in order??? Can’t wait to get back and hear about all the plans.
Mike C – thanks very much for your email and advice.
Well, that’s all for now.
Fiona
Best of luck on your final push here. Sounds like the two of you have achieved so much as a couple already! Thanks for the blogs. Enjoyed them immensely!
Thank Tuck for the call on Mother’s Day. BTW, no I’m not a mother, he’s just a dork. But I’ll take any excuse to receive a call from him on BC!
Best of luck!
Lady Bug
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Hi Paul & Fiona,
I wish you the best of luck on your summit push. Hope you won’t have to stay at camp 4 for too long! I was wondering if you were planning to bring a special object on the summit? I know that lots of climbers like too leave something special a the top, perhaps as a give to the mountain! What about you?
Take good care of yourself an thank you for posting a daily journal. It’s great to be able to follow a fantastic adventure live!
Montreal, Canada
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Well done guys!! Great work getting up there AGAIN, and for writing a good update. Hope you get lots of rest tomorrow.
Chris and Bridge
PS – We are nowhere near setting a date! All we can manage to organise at the moment are trains, planes, hotels and dinners around various parts of the world!
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Fantastic that you’re at C2 and that you’ve again successfully crossed the icefall. From where we sit (!) it would appear to be better to be too hot than too cold, even though you must have had an energy-sapping time. Soak up the rest time at C2, ready for the next push. We’re with you all the way.
All our love, Mum & Dad
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Dear Dennis, Fiona and Paul,
Finally you are about to fulfill your dream of summiting MT. Everest.
We pray for your safety and strength to accomplish your courageous feat.
Good Luck and God Bless your attempt!
See you soon, Den. Love you.
Hugs,
Larry and Marianne B
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Paul and Fi,
While I do not know you, and am disappointed for Jack, I am grateful that you post this daily as I am watching from a far (Denver Colorado) cheering for your successes and the success of everyone attempting to summit this year
I wish you well on your journey to the top.
Regards
Noni from Denver
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Fiona and Paul
I can only imagine the challenges you are facing. Stay focused and you will arrive at your destination one step at a time. That one step that takes you to the top of the world will be a moment you will treasure for a lifetime.
Fiona, regarding your eclectic mix of Abba, U2, Andrea Bochelli, the Rent soundtrack and Opera…absolutely perfect. I love your choices!
Keep doing what you are doing…it is working! Fingers crossed permanently for good weather. MC
p.s. Mary, thank you for your part as communication monitor.
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You jokingly mentioned that maybe you should have tried “E” from the Tibetan side due to teams starting to summit from the north. Well, Everest News just reported 12 summits and counting from the south side on May 17, 2006! Great news! MC
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Hello Fi and Paul! (My how I look forward to hearing how you both are every day; I’ve been reading you with my morning coffee; here in WI, USA, I have no clue what day or time that puts you at!) Anyhow, your updates are inspiring – you both rock – my VERY BEST to you on this summit push; it sounds as though the weather is going to hold! I pray it does! And to Mary, hello and hoping you remain well at the base! Your New Fan in the U-S-A!
Jo
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Fiona and Paul,
All the best for summit day. Hope everything goes your way and may luck b with you.
Phil M
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It’s a time of great anticipation. Wishing you the best of luck and love Dee
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Hi Fiona
It was our valedictory dinner last night and I was surprised to hear that most of the people at my table were also following your progress with much interest and enthusiasm. We all wish you well and look forward to each installment.
Jen
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Good luck and Good Judgement for your Summit push.We are certainly very lucky to be able to share so much with you.I find it quite interesting being almost in the position of a armchair adventurer.Regards to Mary. I can just see her strapping on the crampons and finding her way through the icefall. John W
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No words can express what needs to be said…………Just know that ALL thoughts are with ALL of you as you make your way to THE TOP and back down!
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HI Paul and Fiona
Would love to set up an interview with you guys when you summit/as you head off for the summit. Can you email me ASAP?
Carla Danaher
Herald Sun
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Congratulations on your magnificant achievments and efforts. As true Aussies you have done Australia extremely proud. I pray and hope for your safety and well being and you are so very proudly in my thoughts as I know you are in Kirstys and Noels. Indeed you are true champions. I look forward to the completion of your tasks and your safe return back to Oz so as we as a nation can celebrate in your honour. As a true Aussie I conclude with my thumb up saying “Bewdy Mate – You little rippers” God Be with You Always
Terry Grange
Office of Noel Pullen. M.L.C.
Government of Victoria
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Hi Fi and Paul,
I was surprised to hear that it gets that hot there!
Well done getting so far, good luck for making the summit and take care of yourselves and each other,
xx Sammie and Nick
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Hi Fiona and Paul,
Heard your interview on 774ABC yesterday Fiona, and after visiting your site, felt compelled to wish you both a wonderful, and never to be forgotten experience when you reach your goal.
Good Luck,
Frank
Pakenham Vic
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Hi Fiona & Paul,
I am about to head os for 5 weeks on my round the world trip so just wanted to wish you all the very best. I work in the Mclennan library at MBS and read your diary daily. As I have said before I would love to live in the Antarctic or climb Everest. I love big adventures – but at the moment just read a lot about others adventures.
Finished the Oxfam 100k in April – thats my big effort for the year.
Anyway – good luck & look after yourselves.
Marina
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I can’t even begin to tell you how inspired I am by you both. Following your adventure has motivated me to get off my sofa and on the treadmill. I have done almost nothing since I had my first child 5 years ago. Now I am working to become more and more active. I have hiking trips planned every weekend through summer. If all goes well I will start climbing next summer. Thank you so much for posting this blog and the great pics. You have given me back a gift I thought I had lost forever. The great outdoors. I wish you a very safe descent. I will be thinking of you as I hike this weekend.
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Mr&Mrs Hanns,
Just to let you know that our thoughts & wishes are with you. All your hard work will pay off and we look forward to your safe return. Excellent interview yesterday Fiona, even the toilet commentary.
Love Scott & Jo
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Dennis, Paul & Fiona,
Paul and Fiona thank you for providing this web site for us to follow both of you and Dennis on his trip. We may have been silent so far but know that we are with you every step of the way. Emi wants to take you into show and tell when you get home! We are proud and excited for you, keep up the good climbing. We are all living vicariously through you.
Love,
Terese
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I’m a distant relative of Dennis’ (via the Feketes in Detroit), and am awed by your climb! Is Dennis summitting with you? We’re praying for good weather and a safe trip for you all!
Karan T.
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Hi Fiona and Paul,Iam Nanna Hantons friend, and want to wish you all the best for the Summit.We are sure the view from the top of the world will be stunning. Take care,and safe trip,Thel and Trevor Bottomley.{Frankston}
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I have been following your website for weeks,it has been fantastic.I attended a night with Nick Farr recently ,he said that they used disposeable cameras and SLR s with grapihte instead of oil.Good luck.
I have been following your website for weeks,it has been fantastic.I attended a night with Nick Farr recently ,he said that they used disposeable cameras and SLR s with grapihte instead of oil.Good luck.
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Camberwell, vic
Hi Fiona and Paul
Watching the updates with great interest and sincerely hope you both get to the summit and back down again safely. Thinking of you all Neil, Margaret, Jac and Leah!
Sarah Cuskelly
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Hello Fiona & Paul, take care as you climb higher & higher but also remember to look at the view & enjoy this moment. We are so pleased that you are able to do this. Robyn is with us now and she has been caught up in the Mt Everest events. Zoe & Zac are both good & have enjoyed their holiday with us – Zac has been tearing around with Milly and Zoe has rested!! all our love Mum & Dad xx
Fiona & Paul,
Congratulations on your climb so far. We are reading all your updates with great interest. We hope that the rest of your climb is successful and wish you both all the very best.
Jenni & John
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