Ladders in the Khumbu Icefall

Reunited at Base Camp
26 April 2005    
At 5.00am when the alarm went off at C2 it was already light enough to get organized without using headlamps. As carefully prepared as breakfast was by Zangbu, our C2 Sherpa cook, it was still hard to swallow. On our second acclimatization trip to C2 it is anticipated that our appetites will be much improved.

Let me digress briefly; Zangbu is a veteran of many expeditions. The other day he recalled climbing to camp 5 on Everest's West Ridge during a Bulgarian expedition in the 1970's. They used 1100 porters during the approach! Zangbu has a phenomenally deep voice and can be heard reciting Buddhist chants for hours at a time.

A 6.30am departure from C2 saw us reach C1 as the sun hit and allowed us to return to BC in time for a sumptuous lunch. The hanging seracs in the Khumbu Icefall behaved themselves (i.e. didn't moan, groan or conduct any 'gravity relocations' at unwanted times). There were some great photo opportunities for those with the inclination.

At lunch time the AC Team were reunited as Rob, Kat, Dan and Rachel arrived up from Lobuche. Piers' sister Alex sent a large parcel from Kathmandu at the end of the trek; there were multiple recipients of a wide range of goodies. It was great to read some recent newspapers. Thanks heaps Alex!

For those folks down from C2 several days of rest and recuperation awaits. The revitalized team from Pheriche will began an active program geared towards heading to C1 in a couple of days.

Hurray from the AC Team,
Mike