Location: Everest Base Camp
Altitude: 5350m
Local Time: 5pm, 15th April
Weather: Sunny, 2C now, -8C in our tent last night
Hi all – Fiona here,
As we’re still at basecamp with Paul resting his throat, we thought we’d hand over the reigns today to one of our fellow climbers on our team – Dan. Dan was one of the climbers to climb Island Peak, so he can give a perspective on this part of the climb.
By the way, since starting on antibiotics yesterday, Paul seems to be starting to improve. We’re thinking we’ll keep resting until Tuesday though.
Hope everyone has a happy Easter tomorrow.
Best Wishes, Fiona
Hello from Everest Base Camp!
My name is Dan Griffith, from Invermre BC in Canada.
Climbing Mt Everest has been a passion for a long time, and I’m here for the 3rd time……let’s hope 3rd time lucky!
Our trip with IMG has been especially good up to this point….with great facilities and organisation.
After reaching Base Camp, we spent a few days establishing ourselves and then trekked off down valley for an attempt at Island Peak. The first day involved a 5 hr walk downhill to Dingboche in a snow storm….then up we went to Island Peak basecamp. We awoke the next AM to 15cm of snow which quickly melted so our walk to high camp was accomplished in a couple of hours.
The evening became increasingly clear and when we crawled out of our sleeping bags at 2:30 AM it was a spectacular starry sky that greeted us. This was the start of a perfect summit day for our Island Peak climb. It was just like a climb in the Alps, but to 6150m.
We wandered up a vague trail through scree and ledges and as the sky lightened we crossed a narrow ridge of snow covered rock (that gave some of our group some second thoughts) to the start of the glacier. Here we roped up and with crampons for the crisp snow set off up the glacier through some gaping crevasses.
After about 1.5 hours we reached the base of the steep (55 degrees) snow and ice face leading to the summit ridge. Here we were lucky to have fixed ropes from a previous expedition which our sherpa team had checked for integrity.
We quickly ascended the face and suddenly were gasping for breath on the highest point of Island Peak. The sky was blistering blue and there wasn’t a breath of wind….the perfect summit day. All of our team including Jurg, Mona, Michelle, Greg, Jim, Walter, Karl, Marcus, Brenda, and 5 sherpas were soon together on the top.
The descent went well and we finished the day back at Basecamp with a feast provided by our fantastic support crew.
Three more days off trekking, with meetings with other friends on their way to BC, has brought us back to camp and a reunion with our other team members.
Work continues on the fixed ropes and in the next few days we’ll be on our way through the icefall and onto the upper mountain.
We’ll keep you posted on our progress!
Cheers,
Dan Griffith
I continue to be awed by your climb and all of the info you are sending back. It warms my heart to know that you are all doing so well and that Paul is improving. My prayers are with all of you. Happy Easter to all and special love to Dennis~~~Aunt June
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Nice to see a fellow Canadian join the team – you’re in good hands. And very happy that there’s some progress with that sore throat of yours – no doubt under the watchful eye of Fiona.
Thinking of you on this Easter weekend, as we prepare our Easter feast. By the way it was just slightly above 0 Celius here on Vancouver Island, as a cold front hits the westcoast of British Columbia. Warmer where you are!
with love, Jeannette
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Hi Fiona, Paul and Dan
What a wonderful description of the ascent to the top of Island Peak! Congratulations to the group and sherpas who summited. And Dan, in regards to Everest, as the saying goes…3rd time is a charm!
MC
p.s. Happy to hear that Paul’s throat is getting better.
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What a delightful morning this has been, catching up on your travels. We’ve been away for a few days and couldn’t wait to get back to our computer. Dan, thanks so much for your report. We will be in your neck of the woods (Canada) in August, visiting near Winnepeg for some fishing. Along with everyone else we have our fingers crossed that Paul’s throat is healing.
Thank you for being so generous with your climbing updates to those of us living at sea level.
Safe Trekking–Valerie & Rummy, Apollo Bay, Vic.
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Happy Easter guys. Madi is enjoying an Easter egg hunt this morning. Paul, hopefully the antibiotics will bowl over your sore throat sooner rather than later.
We are hoping to move house in 4 weeks time, it will probably be the same day you guys reach the summit. Paige is doing really well at home. Thanks for the updates,
Brad, Trace, Madi & Paige
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Hello Guys,
from Lino in Katmandhu on teh way to base camp and hopefully Island Peak.
Happy Easter and may God Bless everyone of your steps.
Lino
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What a great read. We felt like we were climbing Island Peak (from our armchairs anyway!) Happy Easter. Hope you found what the Easter Bunny left in Fiona’s bag before you left! So pleased to hear that Paul’s throat is on the mend…keep resting. Have been training and revisited the 1000 steps again and again and again! (surely the climb into Base Camp can’t be that hard?????) lots of love, Dad and Mare
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Hi Dad,
Sounds like everything is going great. Mike is really jealous of the stuff you are doing, maybe one day he’ll be up there and telling you all about it. We are all thinking of you all the time, and are glad you are doing so well. Love you lots, glad to hear mom’s magic magnets and health tricks are working.
Love Rach and Mike
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Hello Paul and Fiona
We are all in New Zealand and the Kiwi family is joining you on the great expedition as well. Nicola wants me to tell you that the Easter Bunny found his way to us in Auckland today and left lots and lots of Easter Eggs. Did he go to Mt Everest as well?
With love from Sue and Nicola
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Hi Guys
Glad to hear that the antibiotics are starting to work – It’s a good idea to wait a few more days so that you’ll much better – take it easy!! We’re having a relaxing time eating, drinking and wandering around Echuca and it’s surrounds. Everyone here sends their love to you both. Cheers for now
Mum & Dad
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Hi Guys,
We left Kathmandu yesterday (Saturday) – it was very quiet – no taxis around etc – we are not sure if it was because of the strikes or if it was because it was new years day (2063!) – we were told there were lots of demonstrations on but we did not see any. We left early for the Airport in case of problems, so got there very early!
Delhi is amazingly quiet today, we think because it is Sunday. All the shops are shut in our area (Connaught Place). Food has been awesome so far. We are going on a tour of Old Delhi this afternoon, and will also work out how to see the Taj and possibly Jaipur.
It’s 39 degrees here today, so a bit hotter than the -8 at base camp!!! We are not missing our down jackets!!!
Bridge says hi!
Have you taught everyone 500 yet?
Chris & Bridge
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Hi Paul and Fiona. I work at MBS and got your site from their website. Was doing the 1000 steps yesterday and started having a chat with a woman who turned out to be Paul’s Mum and that she taught my brother at primary school – what a small world! Loving the updates. Cheers, Justine
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Fiona and Paul
We are so inspired by your website and what you two are doing just had to ring Marg and tell her what an amazing couple you are . Keep going with your dream – you have so many people who are willing you on ! We look forward to more details of your wonderful journey!
Best wishes
Sally and Michael Hearn (Friends of Neil and Marg )
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