Local time: 14 May, 20:00
Location: Base Camp
Altitude: 5300m
Weather: Windy at base camp, with snow. Calm now.
Hi it’s Paul at base camp. We woke this morning to much stronger winds than normal, so I was glad we are not up higher. However this evening the winds have dropped, so it looks good for summits tonight. We also just downloaded the latest weather forecast and it’s looking promising. More on this tomorrow.
A couple of days ago we had some high winds, and it caused some problems at camp 2 – our dining tent blew over. However the member sleeping tents were alright, which is important as many of us have gear stashed in them. My down suit is in my tent at C2, and it would be devastating to loose this.
Climbing schedule
It’s fair to say that weather is the topic on everyone’s lips. That and when they plan to “go up”.
Behind this, is thoughts of home, and people here are counting down the days till the end of May, when they are likely to be leaving. I have been away from home for just on one and a half months, and I was starting to get homesick when Fiona and her group arrived. It’s all about patience now, waiting for the right weather.
This year it felt like we were one of the later groups to get to base camp, however last year we were the first and this time last year, we had been away for nearly two months. I have been happy with the schedule of this trip. Let me explain how much time you need to get ready for a summit bid on Everest. You need about 5 days of rest when you arrive at bc, then it takes a week for each of your two acclimatization rotations, plus 5 days rest in between. This means you need a little less than a month to get ready, plus around 10 days to trek in. Get to BC and start too early and you risk being ready to early, and then deacclimatisating during the period we are in right now. Last year we were at BC on about April 3 and just sat here doing nothing until about April 24. This was because I was sick, but also we worked out that if we went up any earlier, then we risked being ready way too early.
I came down from C3 this year on May 8, so if I leave again on May 18 or 19 it will have been 10-11 days of rest. A little too much, but less than last year and still should be OK.
Your Messages
Hi Marg, Dorothy and Dr. Paul. We read your message out to Pertemba and he really enjoyed hearing your news. Later he explained to us all the trekking that you have done with him. I don’t know how long it’s been since you last saw him, but he is still very young looking and incredibly strong. To see him moving rocks around base camp is a sight to behold.
Hi Den and Tam, Great to hear your news. We’d love to check out Bonaire one day. I was hoping that it would shape up like last year with some summits before the 20th, and then I can go afterwards, but I am not sure. Today’s weather wasn’t good and might have put off the teams that are up high. Anyway it’s still very early days yet.
Hi WP. The meltwater seems about the same as last year. Earlier it was higher, but now it’s the same.
Hi Neil, I think I could still leave a summit attempt until late May, early June, although that’s not on the cards. The forecast models all have lower winds starting in May 21, so this is what I am aiming for now.
Hi Chris, Yes, the food is great. One of the things that I am liking most is that we are getting fresh fruit every day – mostly apples and mandarins.
Regards,
Paul.
Hi Paul & Fiona,
It is good to see the picture of the dining tent. It seems like not too much has changed since we were there. I was wondering how, when the girls + 1, everybody was able to fit into the tent?
Good luck with the weather,
Tim.
Hi Paul,
I sent a message last friday, but the message didn´t arrive, so now I try it again.. thank you again a lot!! Have patience, I´m in thoughts with you constantly!!
Greetings Corinna
Hallo mein Schatz, ich weiß nun, dass ihr wieder gemeinsam unterwegs bzw. im BC seid und deshalb möchte ich mich auch gleich mal melden! Du bist sooo weit weg und vor allem schon soooooooo lange weg, aber jetzt musst du (wie Paul im Titel bereits sagt) Geduld haben! 1 oder 2 Wochen mehr darf jetzt nichts mehr ausmachen, gerade jetzt! Bitte überlege dir jeden weiteren Schritt und spezielle hör auf dein wirklich erfahrenen Begleiter!! Aber ich vertraue auf deine Vernunft auf deine Stärke und auf dein Liebe – dein Liebe zu Katrin, zu deiner Familie, zu deinem zu Hause zu dir selbst und natürlich auch zu mir!!! Du hast bisher so viel unglaubiliches geschafft, also wird es dir auch nicht schwer fallen die richtige Entscheidung zu treffen wenn es darauf ankommt – nochmal wir vertrauen auf dich, lieben dich, beten für dich und sind immer bei dir!!!
Ich freue mich auf deine vor Freude strahlenden Augen, deine Geschichten, deine Umarmung.. einfach auf DICH!!!
Bis bald,
Deine Corinna
your website is very organized. more than the other websites that I have been on.
Hi to Fiona, Paul and the whole gang…
I know waiting is frustrating….but, after looking at sat photos…looks like a good call to wait a day or two. I noticed Dave Hahn also waiting around for the trail to get tracked down, so you got company from one of the best. BTW, thanks also for letting us know that Lhakpa was back at camp. My mother, Billie, especially appreciates that info as you and Lhakpa are in her thoughts and prayers hourly. In fact, she has already told me that the only way I can go back to EBC next year is if I promise to use myeverest.com, too. Sign me up. Thanks again. Sending you warm California vibes for a most successful roundtrip to the summit. Big hugs to all. p.
Hi Paul, Fiona and team
Sounds like some serious wind blowing up at C-2 recently. Glad the member’s sleeping tents stayed put! Enjoy your time at BC and hopefully you will be on your way for a summit push soon. Once again, so far so good!
MC
“Patience is seeing the big picture and knowing it is worth it.” mc
Great to hear your voice last night- you sounded so well and cheerful and full of vim and vigour!! We are watching the forecasts now thanks and feel as though we are with you every step of the way. I can’t believe almost a year has gone by since all this was happening last time.
The dining tent looks smaller with less people in it- I bet it’s much easier to talk to everyone. Are there any team photos up like last year? Hey how about all that fresh fruit this time???
It must be much more fun now with Fiona there-
The Nepalese flag is flying high on the flagpole and we find we are giving daily reports to passers by!!
Sorry we missed your call Beck- we got your message when we after we got back from Foster.
lots of love to you all
Dad and Mare
Hi paully, I have just spent the last 3 days in tassie so have only just caught up on all your recent news this morning. Great to be back “in the know”. I am terrible with being patient so can only imagine how frustrating it must be. It sounds like the rest of the gang had a great time and I’m looking forward to catching up with Beck when she gets home. Great to have updates from different people – to get different perspectives along the way. Good luck with your waiting and then your climbing – we are all thinking of you. Be safe.
with love, meals and danny
Hi again Paul and Fiona – hard to imagine your idea of ‘luxury’ with those stretchers, you make it sound like an RACV 5 star rating at Base Camp, but the dining tent looks…well…basic! Don’t you get backaches lying/sitting around on makeshift chairs etc? And when confined by the weather, what stops you going stir crazy – can you sqeeze in a few pilates in the tiny tent? Pity Beck has left, as I wanted a full geological report – but also about gemstones, are there any to be found and what kind of stones are used (or not) in local jewellery further down the slopes? On the climb to the summit, is it all ice, or are there some exposed rock faces and what colours/kinds of rocks? Good luck with the weather reports and I’ll look forward to following your climb. Must be great lazying around in BC Fiona, supporting Paul through that crazy iceflow but not having to face it again yourself – well done again girl for last year’s marvellous effort!
Rosemary & Dave Abbott, sunny Paynesville
Paul,
Is Ravi (your team mate) the same Ravi from malaysia who summited last year from the North Side with Asian trekking. Can you ask him his opinions about Asian Trekking’s expeditions from North Side.
How are his frost bite injuries from last year ?
He should have also the details about what happened to Sharp as he passed him by on the trail and they were members of the same expedition.
I am actually surprised he is at all the mountain (but then again its Everest) !
Do you have any idea of your oxygen saturation levels currently , comparison from last weeks etc. , for more insight..Any stats of a Heart Rate Monitor, pre /post acclimatisation.
All the best in the coming days..
JB(Adelaide)
Hi Paul,
We are glad this year the dates have suited you better with regard to being ready and fully acclimatised. We hope for good weather for all the team!
Hang in there and keep fit!
Ann and Graham
Dear Paul Hope you remember me – year 10 English at St L’s I think. So pleased to be able to read updates of your current experience, and I have also heard a couple of your phone interviews on ABC radio. I just want to wish you the very best in your climb to the top – enjoy and come home safe.
Kind regards Leonie Blair
What is your objective to climb Chamolangmo?