First Acclimatisation Rotation
Today ascended back up to ABC and staying here the night. It was a tough slog from BC with an over loaded pack full of all my mountain gear, climbing gear and food for 4 days (enough to get through the first acclimatisation rotation). The Sherpas help establish tents and cookers at each camp site, which we share depending on who’s there at the time. But other than that, we need to be fully self-sufficient and carry all our own gear and food.
While walking up, we saw another heli rescue, this time they were long lined off from Camp 1 after a summit attempt. What is going on up there? Are the conditions really that bad? Well, I guess I’ll find out for myself in a week or so.
Tonight it is just the two of us at ABC, myself and my climbing Sherpa. I feel I have been acclimatising well and hence have pushed ahead of schedule. The rest of the group are still down at BC. It is a cold, windy, rocky, desolate place up here. The only shelter available is inside the tent, which rustles wildly with the wind outside. Liveable… Yes. Pleasant… No.
“Go with the decision that will make for a great story”.
Cheers,
Steve
Route looking back down towards base camp