Location: Everest Base Camp
Altitude: 5350m
Local Time: 5:30pm, 14th April
Weather: Sunny and windy, 5C
Hi there, it’s Fiona here,
We’ve decided to delay any further forays up the mountain until Paul’s throat and chest is a bit better – at least a couple more days.
A Visit to the Doc
After a slight worsening of Paul’s throat and a bad night’s sleep, we decided to take a visit to the doctors at the Himalayan Rescue Association at base camp (use of this service is included with our expedition). Paul had already seen them not long after we arrived at base camp but was advised that it had not become infected and to sit it out. Now though, they listened to his chest and checked his throat and advised to start taking antibiotics now. So hopefully he’ll start feeling better in a day or two.
Testing for NASA
The team here has been asked to participate in a study commissioned by NASA to test the effects of high altitude (and oxygen deprivation) on cognitive thinking and language skills. Today we completed the first section of this test – there were 3 parts, some of which already seem very complicated. The plan is that we repeat these tests again once we are at Camp 2 so that the different results can be compared. This is the 5th and final year this study has been going on.
Washing Day
The rest of the day was spent having a shower and then doing some laundry – so feeling nice and clean now.
Chris and Bridge – glad to hear that you made it back to Kathmandu without incident. Hope the rest of your time there goes well.
Best wishes to everyone,
Fiona
Do you have an oxymeter at hand to check and track your acclimatization progress?
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Fascinating reading over the last few days especially all those little detour signals; the ‘click here’ bits. Some very telling and poetic words on the climb from exploreres.net. Thanks.
Be well. Heal quickly. Happy Easter.
Deb, Ned, and Holly at rainy & cold Tootgarook.
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Hi Paul and Fiona
Paul, hope you get better soon.
Happy easter – im guessing an egg hunt was out of the question
daryl
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Happy new year! I’m sure you know by now that it is 2063, not 2006?? It is all happening in Kathmandu for Nepalese new year (especially the traffic). Bridge and I just got back from dinner.
According to BBC and CNN the situation here is quite terrible, but we had a lovely (maybe stupid and naive?) day of sightseeing temples and shopping. Paul, you’d be so proud of the bargaining for clothes and taxis that we have been doing on the streets of Thamel! We have perfected the art of the “walk away”, to the point that the vendors give in and the taxis drive after us to get our business at our rate. (but we’re sure you could still get a better price!)
Maybe you should take some cipro (why not coconut?).
Chris & Bridge
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Hi Fiona and Paul
Once again, thanks for the great photo.
I truly hope that this sore throat will get better immediately now that you are taking antibiotics. The couple of days rest may coincide with the completion of the route to C-2 and then the setting up of C-2.
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Patience is seeing the big picture and knowing it is worth it. MC
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Hi there Woe Woe and Paul, Happy Easter to you both! I’m glad to hear that Paul has now got some good treatment. Your daily updates have been terrific. M and D are in Echuca for the Easter Break and I have 4 days off which is nice. D’s pretty happy as (so far) the Bulldogs are winning. I head off to Bali in 2 weeks for work, which is pretty exciting. Should be better weather there than here. All the best, we’re all thinking of you both! Lea Lea
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Hey Paul – take some of your homeopathic treatments! That’ll get you back on track!
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“Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”
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Hey fellas,
Great work out there.. All the best for your climb..
I’m sure you all brought satellite phones out right?? have they been working well??
I will be climbing Mera Peak in May and would like to know how well satellite phones work in the himalayas..
Thanks!!
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Hi great to read your news. I taught with Mary Adler many years ago and now see her in the mornings at the Brighton Beach Baths …and as I wrote hear your news.She is looking very fit and looking forward to meeting up with you both. My son in law left last Sat. with a group inc. his friend Ross Thompson… not sure which camp he is going to, if you sight him say Hi fom us here. Hope you are feeling much better Paul and will continue onwards and upwards very soon……cheers Joan Jones
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Joan Jones back again …..minor slip forget to write in my son in law’s name! …Justin Hoy…do hope you catch up Cheers .
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