Local time: 12 May, 18:00
Location: Base Camp
Altitude: 5300m
Weather: Light snow in the morning, but then fine thereafter.
Hi it’s Paul at Everest base camp. This morning we said goodbye to all the intrepid trekkers, as they began their journey back to civilization.
Saying Goodbye
After spending 3 days in base camp, it was time for everyone to say goodbye. They had all formed a good group, so there were a few tears shed. After a group photo and a final visit to the bakery, they were off. It was terrible weather – cold, windy and snowing, but into this they walked. Lhakpa Nuru came back to base camp today (he looks better), but he said that he saw them in Gorak Shep and most of them had decided to head up Kalar Patar in the hope of clearing weather. Well the weather did clear in the afternoon, so they should have got a good view.
Moving Tents
Our tent was perched on an ice pedestal, as the ice around melted out, but underneath it didn’t. The edges also melted, so our floor area was reducing daily. So after inspecting the available ice real estate, we selected a spot and with the help of our Sherpas created a flat area. We then pulled everything out of our tent – our Luxury Lite camp beds causing quite a fuss when people realized that we were quite literally sleeping in luxury. We are now settled in and judging by the weather, we are going to be here for a while.
First weather forecast
Today we received our first weather forecast from Meteotest. A small group of us have signed up for this service from Switzerland. The forecast was resounding in it’s message – don’t go for the summit. So we decided to stay put. It looks like unfavorable conditions will be here for a while, so we had better get comfortable in base camp.
Your Messages
Hi Dame, Julia had tried the hairdryer earlier in the trek, but didn’t realize that they use 230V not 120V here, so it met a sad end.
Hi Ryan, I’ll use the 60 second file then, thanks very much. I still haven’t charged the GPS logger yet, and it’s still going well after more than a month. Will charge it before the summit push, just to be sure.
Hi Mira, All the girls were in very good health and had no coughing or altitude sickness at all. Part of this is due to wearing masks from Namche. The tent is a Mountain Hardware dome tent from the Canadian team near us. I think it’s their dining tent.
Hi Mark R, Yes, I think I’ll be on a similar schedule to that of your friend, Terry.
Hi MC, Cas says Hi, and that he was wondering when you would work out who he was!
Hi Jac, It was snowing so hard and we were all waiting in the snow while I finished the interview. It was a funny sight.
Regards,
Paul.
Paul & Fiona:
We have been technologically away for awhile, but we are now settled in on Bonaire and enthusiastically catching up with your trek and climb. We are thrilled to know that the 2 of you are now together and eagerly anticipating good weather for the summit push!
Paul, your postings bring back vivid memories for Den, although it sounds as if the icefall and base camp thaw are much more advanced this year than last. Please know that you guys will be heavy in our thoughts over the next few weeks. Once you have reached your goal and need a tropical place to thaw out, we will have a room waiting for you here in Bonaire!
Keep positive thoughts, stay healthy and climb safe,
Den-n-Tam
The group portrait of the Intrepd Trekkers is excellent …safe jouurney Trekkers…
Hope that the weather clears soon…and that the new tent location is dry & comfortable as possible. Does it seem as though there is an increase in melt water flowing thru the camp this season as to last?
Hope you all have a fine Sunday…
wp
Fiona and Paul, life’s going to be a little different for a while now that there are just the two of you. It must have been sad seeing the others go back down but I’m sure they had the experience of a lifetime. I hope the weather improves and that you don’t have to spend to long at EBC. What’s the latest that you think you could leave the summit attempt to?
Love,
Dad H
Good luck this time.
Have a safe climb.
Hope to hear all about the trek when you return to Melb.
Matt Frost
Hi Guys! Great to read the daily updates. I’m about to start the Lincoln Hall book that Bridge bought me for a present (that she has already read!). Good to hear you are enjoying the food more this year. Have fun at base camp for the next few days!
Chris & Bridge
Hi Pa and F
Lots of excitement since we last wrote to you. Neil and Judy and Max were here for dinner on Wednesday night- we drank a toast to you and had mo mos with our dinner! The Nepalese flag is flying high as are our thoughts and wishes for you.
We took Max and Judy down to Foster and then went on down to Paynesville and spent a night with Rosemary and Dave. Then back to Foster……
Everyone sends their love to you are are all watching your progress. shame about the forecast but as you say…better to stay where you are.
We have just got back from Foster (Mother’s Day) and Lou and Chris and Chris’ mother have just left.
I remember last Mother’s day up at Base Camp….it’s so much warmer here today…about 20 I think today!!
Enjoy your time together….oots of love
Dad and Mare