Location: Base Camp, 5350m
Local Time: April 14, 2007. 18:00
Weather: Fine and clear all day, 15 Celsius
Hi Everyone,
It is Tim here, coming to you from Base Camp.
Last night
Last night we headed off to bed at around 8:30. This is not an unusually early bed time. Many people, including the Sherpas, like to head off to bed soon after dinner.
During dinner and throughout the night we heard many avalanches in the surrounding area. There were at least 12 of noticeable severity. Base camp is situated at the end of the Khumbu valley surrounded on three sides by large mountains. The tents are located far enough from the base of each mountain so that it feels secure despite the regular avalanches. The small or distant avalanches sound like a mild thunderstorm rumble. The large or close avalanches are significantly louder, and the specific sounds of the rock and snow tumbling down are more distinct. So far we have observed only one avalanche actually in progress. Usually the avalanche has finished by the time the sound reaches us and we are able to locate the source. In these cases only the snow cloud created by the avalanche remains visible.
Last night we were also frequently reminded that we are sleeping on a moving glacier. Throughout the night there were loud popping and cracking sounds. Sometimes it felt like they were occurring directly outside our tent. Paul reassured me by confirming that they probably are occurring directly outside and this is not an illusion – thanks Paul! As a light sleeper, as I have been while sleeping at high altitudes in the Himalayas, the end result is many interruptions to what otherwise could have been a steady nights sleep.
Base Camp food
Everybody in our group has been very impressed by the food we have been served. Lead by chief cook, Birbal, we have been served a variety of excellent dishes. Last night we had some very tasty chicken, steamed vegetables and coleslaw. For most of us this was the first time we had eaten chicken or tasted fresh vegetables since starting the trek 11 days ago. We were woken up at 7:30am this morning with hot tea delivered to us in our tents. It certainly does not feel that we are camping when we have this level of luxury! The highlight of lunch today was a scrumptious potato salad that was on par, although not as good of course, as the potato salad my wife Inna can make. An incredible achievement considering our surrounds and proximity to food sources.
Civil Works
Today was mainly spent resting and relaxing. In the morning many of us took the opportunity to improve the immediate surrounds of our tents. This consisted of digging small drains and constructing rock patios to prevent water buildup around our tents. I am amazed by how much water is flowing through base camp. The melting of the glacier produces run off that must be channeled to a suitable location. Apparently the run off later in the season can even cause small lakes to develop.
The award for best civil works project goes to our Hungarian friends Atilla and Reni. They have created a stone piazza the size of their tent, complete with a lounge area.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the final day for Dame and I at base camp before beginning our trek back to Lukla on Monday. We plan to venture further than the 50m radius of the dining tent we managed today. Viewing the ice fall up close will be a priority.
Your Messages
Mira,
We have two solar panels to charge all of our electronic devices. With the sunny weather we have at the moment it is easy to charge everything.
Sarah,
Thanks for your message. Everything is going well, and it has been a great experience.
Cheryl,
Thanks for your message & interest in our site.
Till next time,
Tim
Thanks a million for all the updates. I’m in Salt Lake City, Utah with Apa Sherpa’s wife and children. They send many namastes to all of you; plus all of their many Sherpa friends at camp. This morning we had a puja and called Paul’s name for safety. We also listened to the Tengboche ceremony and it made Yangji cry. Apa should be in camp around the 25th or so. Please give a big hug to Lhakpa for us. The Sonoma Sherpas, SLC Sherpas and all of his Texas family send many, many Namastes. Speaking of Texas family, Mom and Dad are heading out on a cruise today to Central America today. Safe travels to all of you from all of us here. p.
Hi Paul & gang,
I’m looking at today’s photo with Paul’s tent at what looks like the edge of snow and rocks. Is base camp that close to the edge? If so, why not camp on just the rocks & thereby not have to worry about snow melting run off? This must be an illusion I’m sure.
Glad to read you folks got to BC with no problems. Hope the rest of the climb goes just as smoothly. cCn’t believe that your meals are so glorious. I remember awhile back it was just tea and sandwiches. Wow, has Everest climbing progressed.
Uh, where’s Fiona?
Continue good luck to all.
Steve Dansker
Hi Tim and family,
Sounds as if the food has been really great there! It gives us an idea, in case we ever get the chance to go, what we will be consuming! Will you actually venture into the icefall or spend time looking at it? Either way I’m sure it is so vast there is really no way to appreciate it unless you are there!
Best, Ann and Graham
Hi Guys
Great to hear your voices last night Tim and Dame (sorry we were out earlier)-thanks for persisting. The Google photo of the icefall is so real that you feel like you could step on to it!
I didn’t get the cup of tea in bed…looks like you’ve got it better organised this year!
Have a great day exploring today….enjoy the walk out
lol
Dad and Mare
Hi Tim and gang.
Very glad to hear that the hike is going so well and that you are in fact at Everest Base Camp now! Tea service in the morning? Is that another variation of roughing it smoothly? I had my first executive committe meeting this past Friday – to present the case for purchasing that apartment building I told you about in Dallas. We should be closing on May 1. Biz was accepted to medical school in Chicago and is still waiting to hear back from other schools in the Boston area – hopefully one of those pans out. Just have to see. How are your boots working out for you? Altitude a problem at all w/ the lungs?
Have a great last day at Base Camp! I hope your hike back out is as much fun as the hike in was. I’ll be looking forward to checking out all your pictures when you get back to the states… and I might have to give you a hand with landscaping? HA!
Paul – Does it feel good to be back at Base Camp again?
Best,
Andy
Congratulations on your safe arrival into base camp. I have been enjoying your regular updates and hearing about the adventures of the Adler men! It sounds like you are all in tip-top shape! Look forward to hearing about Paul’s next stage of his Everest bid. Safe hike back to Lukla Tim and Damien!
Em
Hi Tim, Paul & Dame,
Congratulations on reaching BC, sounds like you have had a relatively trouble free trek in. Tim & Dame, enjoy BC and good luck for the walk out. Chris and I went to Albury for the weekend and also stopped in at Dad’s and were able to see first hand the damage the bushfires in Dec/Jan caused…probably very different to the scenery you guys are seeing.
Anyway keep having fun and I have really enjoyed your updates so far.
Lou