Paul and Fiona’s Progress
I know they sent an update yesterday, but it was so special watching them go off early yesterday morning. I took lots of photos as they began their ascent through the icefall. I watched them for as long as I could see them. For those who have seen this, the further they went the more they looked like those “ants” that climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
Paul and Fiona are now safely resting at Camp 2, from where they will do their update today and I am at staying at Base Camp while they are attempting their summit.
Weather
The weather here is warm and sunny in the mornings-the sun shines brightly and often there is not a cloud in the sky. There is usually a breeze and the temperature is about 12 degrees C.
I sat in the sun (still rugged up) and read and talk about spoiling – they brought me my breakfast there this morning . (Someone has to do the relaxing while P&F are doing all the hard work!)
By about 2pm the clouds and wind and as is the case now, snow comes in. That sends me scurrying back to my tent to rug up.
Today I went for a walk (as this is a dead end valley, you can really only walk in one direction (or head up!!) and watched a supply helicopter come in and land on the smallest and rockiest helipad I have ever seen. My I.T. skills don’t extend to sending pictures of the landing.
Thanks
Thanks to all those people (family, old friends and now some “new” ones) who have written It is great to hear from you and also the school children who are following Paul and Fiona’s climb from your schools. I know they love receiving all your messages of love, support and encouragement.
Cheers, Mary.
Hi Mary from Roger in Sydney
Will also be nice to hear of your exploits and impressions of Everest from the base camp perspective. Reflections of day to day living and what happens in and around base camp.
All the best
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Thanks so very much for everything Mary – you have been so inspiring to us all & a great comfort to F & P – as well as to us at home. Thank you for being there with them Marg & Neil
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Thank you for continuing to report from THE MOUNTAIN, Mary. And to Paul & Fiona, please remember that THE VICTORY IS IN THE EFFORT. You have put in the most amazing effort up to now and we wish you continued success in your ascent and descent. Climb Safe–Valerie & Rummy
Can’t wait to read the post that you have safely made the summit. All the best for this part of the journey. Looking forward to seeing you both when you back to Melbourne.
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Hi Fiona & Paul,
you don’t know me but I heard about you both from a teacher at St Leonard’s College. I work their. And of course Paul you were a pupil. I read about you and your adventure. What a fantastic thing to do I admire you both so much. It interests me what drives people,there is one thing thinking about such a challenge but to actually do it, well. Anyway I was telling both my children about you and my daughter said I am sure my friend knows them. It turns out it is Isabelle Barrow, Georgina said she is your cousin? Anyway thoughts are with you and what great storys you will have to tell for the rest of your life.
Jackie
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Hey there Mary,
Good on you… it all sounds great! Well done on your journey of discovery and support for Paul and Fiona. It’s been a real thrill thus far for me and the next couple of days will be keeping us all on the edge of our seats. For sure! May our shared spirit of love be with you all.
Best wishes
Phil
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BC Mom:
It is so great of you to keep the home fires burning while the kids are out playing! It is wonderful to know that you are there as support….Thank You! Enjoy this fabulous adventure!
Tam
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Hi Mary,
I’m a friend of marg and neil’s and know that they are feeling very anxious right now and will be so glad when Fiona and Paul are back down with you. I’m not sure whether it would be easier from where you are or from back here!!
Congratulations on your great effort of reaching Base Camp. I think you deserve all the spoiling you can get. What a wonderful and emotional experience it will be for you when they have ‘summitted’ and you see them returning to base camp. Do they have champagne at BC?????
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Hello Paul and Fiona,
I am working in the International Office at the School of
Management at U of O and have been following your progress through your web site. I sent this message to JF Carrey, but I think it didn’t get to him before he summited. Last
year a friend of mine, Prof. Sean Egan was trying to become the oldest canadian to climb
Mt. Everest but passed away on his way down from BC. His son Seamus is on exchange
right now in Sweden. I understand his sherpa scattered his ashes atop Mt Everest. I would
like it if you could save a thought for Sean while you are standing on top of the mountain.
Merci beaucoup,
Alain
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Hi Mary
You are right…someone has to do the relaxing while P&F are doing all the hard work and I’m glad that person is you. (You so deserve it.) It is wonderful that you trekked all the way to BC to support Paul and Fiona. Thank you for continuing to bring their updates to us!!! MC
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Dearest Mary,
You are so inspiring. I hope you continue to enjoy the adventure whilst waiting on P&F’s safe return to BC. This is so exciting. Mama is enjoying the photos and news. We hope to see her home on Sunday. LOL Jane xx
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Hi Mare
While you were relaxing we caught up with John yesterday at the caravan & camping show in preparation for our trip to the Flinders Ranges – I don’t think there can be a greater contrast with Everest! It is amazing how diverse and beautiful is our planet. How is the scrabble going? I hear that you have some stiff competition. You know these mountaineering types – all very competitive. Our love and thoughts are with the three of you always.
Love, Hugs and Kisses OOOXXXOOO
Jo & Leo
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Hi Paul and Fiona, we are thinking of you constantly and are full of admiration for you both…the champagne is on ice both for the amazing affort and the fulfilling of your dream!!Warm wishes from Jen and Geoff D.
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Best of luck to you both on your endeavors. I mentioned you on my web site here: habit.squarespace.com.
Take care and God Bless!
Joy
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Who would have thought, or even dreamed, when I was young, eighty years ago, that you would be able to send messages to the top of the highest moutain in th world to a niece and nephew. Munroes, and their derivities, Adlers, would wonder all over the world, from it highest to its lowest pooints. Lowest? I did that in Israel.
My big news is that we are nearly finished adding a three room section to my daughter and son-in-law’s home, in Sarasota: Florida, where I expect that I will live out my life. The climate here is moderate in winter, hot in summer, but you do not go out in he heat, you just go from airconditioning to aircoditioning. Within five steps of my door is a swimming pool.
There is a narrow arm of a larage lake within twenty feet of the end of the swimming pool. It, the inlet, is lined with grow trees which seperate them from a large grassed area, at the top of which is a small Lutheran Chruch.
Greg is the pastor of a non-denominational church, with a wonderful, educated, fluent group of people who are great to be around.
Love, Uncle Bruce.
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