Camp 2 Kitchen

Crossing paths in the Western Cwm
3 May 2005    
Acclimatizing to climb big mountains involves multiple passes over the same terrain. Dealing with the monotony is part of the game. One is able to measure the progress of acclimatizing by pace/times, the soundness of sleep, appetite and the absence of headaches. Folks at C1 last night all felt much less fatigued than during our previous visit to C1 and C2.

Today Rob Hart, Piers, Luis, Mat McDonald, Mat Kitchin and Mike headed from C1 to C2. Enroute we encountered Paul, Dan, Kat and Rob Fellows heading from C2 to BC for several days rest. After a brief exchange of news on the sun drenched slopes of the Western Cwm each team headed in their respective directions.

C2 folks will rest tomorrow in anticipation of a hard slog to C3 the following day.

Today several of our climbing Sherpas climbed from C2 (6400m) to the South Col (7950m) for the second day in a row. This is truly a marathon effort. The prime cargo was multiple bottles of oxygen; there is satisfaction at seeing the top of the logistical pyramid being established. As part of his days work Ang Dorje, our Climbing Sirdar, completed fixing rope from the top of the Geneva Spur to C4.

Reporting from a sunny camp 2 this is Mike for the AC Team.