Local time: 17 May, 19:00
Location: Camp 1
Altitude: 6100m
Weather: Warm overnight, snowing heavily this afternoon.
Hi it’s Paul at camp 1. Well our summit push has got underway. We were really busy yesterday getting ready and then I didn’t get a good night’s sleep as I was very anxious about the icefall. So I was a little tired when my alarm went off at 4:05am this morning. But there was no time for snoozing – I got quickly dressed and packed the remaining gear into my pack – medicines, pee bottle, clothes, technology bag, torch, camera, video camera.
Leaving this morning
We had breakfast, paid our respects at the puja altar by throwing rice into the air and putting Juniper on the fire, and then headed to the crampon point just after 5:30. After donning our crampons and saying goodbye, it was off up the icefall. We had great fun climbing – it was warm, and I had a feeling it was going to be my last time up the icefall for a long time and I wanted to take it all in. It’s very scary and dangerous, but it’s also incredibly beautiful. Instead of pictures, I took lots of video. Attila and I got caught up in a group of about 20 people – Alpine Ascents and the Malaysian team, but they were courteous and let us through. We also let the faster climbers through – it’s much more enjoyable for everyone that way. We chatted to ourselves and to Fiona on the radio.
Relaxing at C1
We cleared the top of the icefall before the sun hit us, and were at camp 1 at around 9:40am. The sun came out in full force and we laid out our sleeping mats on the snow and relaxed in the warmth. If I was carrying shorts, I would have put them on. Continuing our good food tradition, we had aged cheese from Vermont, crisp apples from below Lukla, salami, macaroni cheese and a warm blueberry compote. Very nice.
But by 2:30, the clouds rolled in and it started to snow, so we hurriedly chucked everything into the tent and scrambled inside, where I am now writing this update.
Our plan tomorrow is to take it easy to C2, reassess the weather, but if it holds, then move on up the next day. Health is holding up well.
I have been trying to work out how many people are aiming for May 21. Alpine Ascents are a big group, but they will most likely rest at the South Col, putting them on May 22. I am not sure who is ahead of us at C2, and possibly aiming for the same day as us. I think that it’s not too many people. 20 or less would be great.
Your Messages
Hi to everyone that posted messages. It’s really great to receive them up here.
Hi Jac, I think I’d agree that fresh green salad and maybe some nice Australian roast lamb would be great. Especially if it was done on a webber! We have been very well looked after with fresh vegetables and fruit, but a green lettuce salad has been missed.
Hi Raz, Wishing your group the best of luck with the marathon. The scenery should be magnificent. I think on the 20th my legs and lungs will hurting too as I’ll be somewhere between 7300m and 8000m, heading up to camp 4.
Hi Steve, Are you still riding on Wednesday mornings or hibernating for the winter? I am keen to get into it again when I get back.
Hi Gab and Baz, Hope everything is going well with the dogs. Are you guys keen to get one now?
Hi Jean, Thanks for your kind comments.
Regards,
Paul.
I’m so excited you’re finally on your way, Paul, and relieved you had a good passage through the icefall. Somehow, in the midst of all the summit fever and frantically searching the Web, I missed your post about getting ready to head up. So when I read Fiona’s post that you were already on your way, I was taken by surprise and sorry that I hadn’t wished you well. So I’ll do that now. I’ve got my fingers, toes, and eyeballs crossed for your success. Take care, and I wish you the very best of luck, weather, and strength. I know you will be careful. Woo-hoo! You’re on your way!
Shanda
Hi Paul,
This is great news… last time going up the icefall. It is so great that you are feeling strong, and are now into the final week.
Please say hi to Atilla for me and pass on my best wishes to him for a succesful week.
And finally to paraphrase the wise words we heard on the trek in from a very experienced climber ‘the summit is basecamp’.
All the best,
Tim.
Just kidding! The lunch at C-1 sounded great! My favorite lunch on a canoe trip or hiking trip is hard salami, cheese, apples and almonds…ummm. And it’s easy to boot! Well, the best of the best to you Paul. We are all rooting for you! To the top of the world!
Wishing you continued health,
MC
Hi, I have been blogging with Pat and found yours too, so I want to say good luck and I’m praying for you all to have a safe and fun climb, Cathy
New Milford, CT USA
Hi Ward and friends. I am so inspired by ALL of you! We are saying our prayers for you here in Maryland.
Godspeed!
Hi Paul!
We are pushing for you and your team and will be glued to the computer for the next few days to keep tabs on you all!
Best of everything,
Ann and Graham
Hi to the Adlers!
Tina and the rest of the Redmond family here in Seattle Washington USA. We followed you last year and you all have been a source of constant inspiration for us. We love the new site and just wanted thank you once again for sharing with all of us. Now that your summit bit is underway we just wanted to officially say our thoughts and prayers are with your whole team, BC and above. Best of luck and safety. Also a favor if you could give our love to the Sherpas for all that they do.
Safe travels,
The Redmonds
Paul,
As you head up for your summit bid, know that I have thinking of you and “holding you in the Light” as Quakers say. I’m home now for about 15 hours and amazed that I’m back here post Everest. I hope all goes well for you over the next few days: health, weather, climbing conditions, oxygen, motivation, etc…culminating in a fantastic and safe trip to the summit and back. Take good care, TA
Hi Paul,
Well all of your hard training is now finally to be put to hard use and tested. You sound great. Wish I could shadow you and push you from behind, kidding of course! With all of my very best wishes and thoughts for you over the next couple of days. Love Jacqueline. P.S hope you’re doing well Fiona, tis getting very exciting!!
Hi Paul
Your “Resting in the sun at C1” is such a great shot – thx to Mingma!:) seems everything is going smoothly and under control. Keep looking up as professionals (I would not stop looking down on the ladders with my agoraphobic;) Also cannot stop checking the blog looking for new updates,
Stay safe, Mira
You mean you don’t have zip off down pants? Geez, I thought everyone had those…..
Hey Paul,
I am following your climb as you move up the mountain…
Climb well and enjoy every second of it. I hope you make the summit and get back down safely!
Best wishes for the days ahead,
Gavin
Hi Paul,
Pleased to hear everything is going well and your heath is good.
Good to read you are now going onwards and upwards.
As a famous sportsman once said” You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” So be safe and all the very best.
Wade
Dear Paul,
I understand that you are about to embark on your second attempt of conquering Mount Everest after an equipment failure prevented you from reaching your goal last year.
I congratulate you in showing true grit and spirit in pursuing your dream and wish you the best of luck with this challenging expedition.
Kind regards,
Kevin Rudd
Federal Labor Leader
Member for Griffith
Great photo- great smile!!
Enjoy!! We are following you every step of the way.
May all the Mountain Gods be doing the same
all our love to you both
Dad and Mare
xx
Great news Paul – not only have you cleared the icefall but you’ve basked in the sun. Hope the rest of the climb goes well too. BTW it’s been raining for the best part of 24 hours here.
Best wishes
Neil
Get some good photos from the top! Do the Sherpas need the same amount of oxygen tanks as you do? What is the temperature during the day? And at night?
Does it snow everyday? From Vedat, Mark, Jarrod, Robert & Sarah
Hi Paul,
It’s Denise’s niece here and I’m just wanting to wish you the best of luck with the final stage of this amazing expedition! I’ve been enjoying reading your updates and each day is getting more exciting. Can’t wait for the big email to come through saying you’ve made the Summit! Good Luck & Good Health.
All the best,
Carly.
Hi Paul,
All the best for the next few days. Hope everything goes as planned and you stay safe and well and reach the dream. Good news that there won’t be too many others on the trail. Will be watching intently from thr back pack.
Phil M – Sydney
paul and team. well done .by the time you get this you’ll be safely at c2.i was just mentioning to pat hickey that those summiting on the north side are getting held up in ”traffic jams” but hopefully you won’t have those delays.trust that weather front comes to nothing so you can carry on towards c3. nothing wrong with your food though: you eat better than i do !allthe best for lohtse face [again]. cheers…..[ken.nz]
Hi Paul & Fiona,
Looks like our messages from yesterday didnt come through. Just wanting to wish you Paul a continued safe climb and good health. To Fiona, we miss having you with us here but hope the next week or so at Basecamp is not too stressful (or too snowy!) and that the bakery doesnt run out of goodies!!!
Looking forward to seeing more news come through, hope the weather holds out.
See you both soon,
Denise & Liz.
Hi Paul,
Am writing to you from New Zealand and have relatively little opportunity to get on the net to write to you. Good luck with the climbs, if the weather does turn bad you can always wait for that to pass. Have all been thinking of you and Fiona. Keep positive, Leah
Dear Liz and the trekkers (-1), Excellent news to hear that you are back in Kathmandu. There have been lots of questions as to your whereabouts 😉 Really looking forward to catching up in person on Sunday – the relevant dinner has been arranged in North Balwyn. And for Paul – the very best of luck to got with the best of planning – and for Fiona ‘hold tight’. Lots of love …. Gavan
Paul,
Best wishes as you make your way towards the summit. Hopefully the combination of good weather, not too much ‘traffic’ and your thorough preparation will culminate in a great day on Monday.
Craig, Melbourne
P.S. Great photo of you looking very relaxed on the ladder half way up the icefall
We are both thinking of you Paul and wish you the very best for your summit attempt.With love, Jen and Geoff Downing
Dear Paul and Fiona
We are just over awed by your preparation, fitness and the excitement you bring to us in your adventure. The pictures and sharing of your experiences are amazing and delightful. I enjoy speaking of your feats and accomplishments with my friends and feel happy and proud for you, your support group and your family. We are friends of Mary and John and know they are very very proud parents. We hope all the gods are smiling for your climb to the summit, and not be hampered by bad weather, climber conjestion and faulty equipment. Wishing you a mountain of luck, ‘bring it on’, all the very best Helen and Larry Lee