Location: Camp 1
Altitude: 6050m
Local Time: 17:30, April 26
Weather: -12C in our tent overnight, fine until noon then snow.
Hi it’s Paul here.
Well today has been a pretty quiet day, with Jim and Jack heading up to Camp 2 (they both made it there fine), leaving just us and Dasona and Mingma at Camp 1.
Eating lots
We have been trying to get as many calories into our bodies as possible, and with plenty of good food here, it’s not too hard. Breakfast was tea, followed by banana porridge, then cheese, chocolate & beef jerky. For lunch Fiona had mashed potato with lots of butter and of course some more chocolate, in the form of mars bars and snickers. I just kept on eating cheese, which will come as no surprise for those who know me well. Fiona is very concerned that the one time in her life when she needs to eat as many calories as possible, and she’s surrounded by lots of chocolate, it seems to be losing its appeal. Maybe this will be the cure for her long-term addiction!
Avalanches
Yesterday evening we heard a loud avalanche and everyone was yelling to get out of the tents. We rushed out, Fiona in her socks and me in my bare feet, but luckily it didn’t get close. It’s safer to be outside of your tent rather than inside where you can be more easily buried.
My Throat
My throat continues to get better and in fact it’s the best it has felt in few weeks. I am not sure if it’s these new antibiotics (Augmentin), or if my body is just healing itself. When I go out in cold air I can definitely feel it irritating, but a mask helps stop the coughing. I will have a good dose of codeine cough mixture before setting out tomorrow.
Mary’s Trek
We heard that Mary has arrived safe and well in Kathmandu this afternoon and is now at the hotel. She flies to Lukla tomorrow morning and will walk to Phakding in the afternoon.
Tomorrow
Subject to the weather we plan to leave camp 1 tomorrow at around 6am and then make our way up to camp 2. The climb should take about 3-4 hours and we have been told there are a few good ladder crossings to make. The ladders we have crossed so far are not as bad as we expected, and they certainly break up the journey. The key is to lean forward on the two safety ropes, as this helps stabilise your upper body. Some of the ladders are a bit wobbly and these need to be taken very carefully, with your foot placed right in the middle of the rung.
Your Messages
Hi Sara – As far as we know no one looks after the dog in the photo on Img’s web site. (This one has been named Mallory by our team.) There are a lot of dogs at base camp and we have been warned not to go near them, as it’s possible that they have rabies. I would imagine that they find enough scraps outside the numerous kitchens to survive.
Brad & Trace – Good to hear that things are going well with Paige. Jim said he got plastered with avalanche debris when taking the photos. I don’t know if I would have hung around that long. Hope things are going well for your move.
Sue & Andrew – The Gu is working really well and it’s the only snack we are eating while climbing. When we climbed through the icefall it was pretty cold and our water had ice in it, but the Gu was still ok, although it was a bit firmer than usual. It’s definitely been a big help so far. We are also using the Gu2o in our drinks – the sachets are very convenient. Thanks Guys.
Hopefully we will be reporting in from camp 2 tomorrow,
Paul.
Hello to you both, you’ve both done so well and I hope that everything is fine for tomorrow. I’m pleased to hear that Mary has arrived safely and she’s about to start her trek in to you.
I had a great day yesterday with Auntie Jill, Robyn & Michael (Peter & Ruth too of course)- caught a ferry from Robyn’s place into the city where we wandered around The Rocks & Darling Harbour and then out for dinner in the evening. Today Jill & I played golf and saw a couple of her friends – very relaxing.
The photos you send back are great – we will print them off to keep looking at.Love and cheers and safe climbing, Mum xx
Hi Paul and Fiona,
Great to know your throat is getting better Paul and you are right to go to C2. You two are doing a great job and we think of you and talk about what you are up to all the time. We are proud you both. Take care, love Dame and Beck
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Dear Paul and Fiona:
We are so happy to hear that you are both well and adjusting to life at Camp 1. Best of luck as you head out across the Cwm to Camp 2 – don’t forget your sunblock! Speaking of which, we were wondering how hot it gets in the Cwm. We have read that many people actually suffer from sunburns. How high do the temperatures actually get?
From your Canadian friends at QECVI
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Great to continue to hear good news on your trip. Maybe tomorrow we’re going to have something in common, as it’s also pretty hot here at the beach. Fiona, I’m going to be very disappointed if you actually get over your chocolate addiction!
Have a fun and safe trip up the cwm!
Bridget & Chris
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Hi guys
Can’t believe I am here in the same country!! Great flight over, two spare seats beside mine so I managed to get some sleep.
Am being picked up from the hotel at 5.30 in the morning and off to the airport. I hope they have changed the rules about how much luggage I can take on the plane!!!
I read some of your reports to Mama before I left. She loved them and says hi to you both and “BE CAREFUL”.
Glad you are on the mend
see you soon, Mare
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Hello, I am Marie Claude TROCCON, I was born GENTON, in 1949 in Neuville les Dames, to 10 km of Saint Denis les Bourg, village where was bord your maternal grandmother, Germaine Curt.
I discovered your extraordinary expedition while consulting the genealogical site internet of the GENTON in which I have appeared for a few months.
I want to adress all my encouragements to you, Fiona and Paul, my support in this difficult plan and I am sure, you will have it, your Mount Everest, your dream will be realised and you love is here for helping you.
I have some difficulties in english but I arrive to understand the differents minutes, messages and explications of this challenge.
Take care of you !
I am waiting for next news.
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Thank you so much for keeping families so well informed of your activities during this climb. I loved the picture of the bench that my clever son …Dennis…built for all of you. I see he hasn’t lost his touch in building things from nothing. Fi & Paul, I live very near Melbourne, Florida and my fondest dream is tho visit the Melbourne in your country. Hope to some day. Stay safe all of you
Barbara
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Hello Fiona and Paul
Excellent news regarding your throat, Paul. Hopefully it is on the mend. Nice to hear that Mary arrived to KTM and will begin her 10 day trek to BC. Enjoy your journey, Mary!
Once again, beautiful photos. These pix, along with your fantastic descriptions, truly paint a picture of your experiences day to day. Thank you. You are such an inspiration to so many! Continued success to you. MC
p.s. Fiona, from one choc-o-holic to another, something tells me that you will still love chocolate when you return home!
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Dear Paul & Fiona, I’m really enjoying your wonderful descriptions of this amazing journey – glad the sore throat is on the mend. Was very pleased to read that Mary has arrived safely from her flight and look forward to hearing news of her trek to base camp, will be thinking of her, Best wishes to you all Debbie Skelton
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Hi Fi and paul
Hope you’re reading this message tucked up safe and warm at camp 2 – only two more to go – how exciting! Also hope the building excavations and landscaping at camp 2 are up to the usual high standard!
safe climbing! love, Jan
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Hello Paul and Fiona bridget and chris may have left you but I am now hooked on following your exploit.its a great way to vicariously experience your climb while safe and warm in melbourne good luck and good climbing Barbara
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Dear Fiona and Paul,
Good luck with the trip to camp 2!Megumi, myself and Thanos and a few other ex-AC’ers are enjoying the ‘virtual trip’ with you both. A question – how many climbers are attempting the mountain this year and have the numbers been increasing?
Cheers, Aaron
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Hi Fi and Paul,
It is great to hear all your news. You are doing so well and great to hear the throat is improving. I went and saw Phylis yesterday as she is in the Alfred recovering from an operation. She was sitting out of bed and looking well. Her sister was visiting. We had a lovely chat and spoke of you both, she is very proud. I guess she will be discharged home soon. Mare – nothing to worry about, safe climbing to Base Camp. All the best for the climb to C2 I will read all about it then. Take care Love Sarah G
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G’Day Guys, excellent updates, I reckon Fiona’s addiction is safe, as long as the Mars&Snickers supply holds out. Enjoy,keep safe,
All the best,Scott
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Fiona lose her taste for chocolate? Impossible I say!
My hit predictation is that she’ll become a connoisseur!
Fi – should I reserve a spot for “the girls” at Max Brenner* at QV?
So proud of you both. Best wishes for the journey to C2.
Love Kerry xoxo
* Immerse yourself in Max Brenner’s chocolate culture- come and enjoy our range of handmade pralines, decadent desserts, hot chocolates and our unique styles!!
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Hi Fiona & Paul,
It’s great to hear Paul’s throat is getting better at last. It must be a real pain having to eat all that cheese and chocolate. You’ll probably be in C2 when you read this. Hope conditions were good and that the climb went without hitch.
Love, Dad
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Hello again,
You must be so pleased with yourselves to be (part-way, at least) up the mountain finally. And on the move! Well done to get this far!
Can’t believe you write that it’s -12 deg in your tent overnight, and yet you have bare feet, Paul, and a pic wearing a Tshirt. I just can’t get my head around just HOW COLD it must be. You’ve obviously got the right gear and have acclimatised a bit.
Keep at it, onward and upward!
Loving your updates.
Take care,
Benno and Kate
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Hi Paul and Fiona,
I am a friend of Jim Gagne and live in Wentworth, NH USA. There is alot of interest here about Jim and his climb. Another friend of mine, Bryan Flagg runs a small newspaper named NORTHCOUNTRY NEWS and would like to publish info and pictures of,or from, Jim during this exciting time. Could you ask Jim if is OK to take info and pictures from your site to include in news releases in his paper? I think he would need your OK also. The paper is published every other week and Bryan would like to update the climb in each issue until you are all safely back at BC after a successful attempt. Best of luck to all of you. Your regular reporting makes me feel as if I am with you, and I am, at least in spirit. Thanks for passing on my request. Tom
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hi paul and fiona, great to hear you are feeling better paully. can’t believe you will soon be at camp 2 – it’s all so cool. I’m visiting mama tonight so will print out today’s report and take it to her.
Mum – glad you arrived safe and sound and that things have settled down in kathmandu. enjoy your treck.
thinking of you all, love meals and danny
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HI Paul and Fiona
Well done for making it to Camp two. What an achievement. It must feel great to finally be making headway on the mountain. I wish I could eat all the chocolate and cheese I wanted!!
Have a good flight tomorrow Mary. The walk into base camp sounds lovely, I hope you enjoy it. So pleased to hear on the news that things had settled in Kathmandu.
Keep warm and drink lots.
Rose
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Just returned to Vancouver Island from visiting with your Grandmother in Naramata, Paul and all is well here. I explained the details of your great accomplishments to her, both you and Fiona, and she just loves the idea but will feel better when you are both back at safer ground. Stay well and hopefully that throat is now a problem of the past. Love the photos!
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