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Subject: Life at Base Camp

Posted by Rob on 16 April 2005 05:37 GMT+1 10:22 NST


We have now been at base camp for 4 days and all members of the team are now here. It is a pretty relaxed life. The weather is sunny all day and temp about 10 C (50F). But there is a cold wind all afternoon, so not much sunbathing. However when we go to bed at night it is generally -10C. With my sleeping bag rated to -40, I haven't been cold at all! We have gas heaters in our cook tent, so we get pretty warm by the time we finish the evening meal! Of course, dinner is followed by many games of hearts until the cook team want us to go to bed. We have electric lights driven by a battery and solar panel, so it is comfortable late at night.

It has taken some time for all the batteries and solar panels to arrive by yak. Hence the lack of emails being sent. We have only managed a small charge on the notebook. But today we are setting up all solar panels, batteries and cables so contact should be better now.

yesterday we went up the first part of the ice fall and crossed our first ladder over a big crevasse. A bit wobbly at first, but I got the hang of it and now it is fun. The icefall is like a giant ice park, but I am sure the dangerous parts are higher up.

Sunday we have our Puja, the Nepalese ceremony for blessing and Monday we head up to Camp 1 for a day or two.

feeling good,

Rob