13 April BC Today we prepared to move to ABC.

14 April BC to Intermediate camp. Early in the morning all our gear for ABC is put on to the yaks and we head for intermediate camp at 19000 feet. The camp is used for one night only. 

15 April Intermediate camp to ABC: Wilco: The gear is put on the Yaks again early in the morning and we break camp. Hans had a reasonable night of sleep. I was awake quiet some time due to a dry throat and headache. It is not bad and I will get ride of it when I start moving again. Also today the device is: forewarned is forearmed. It is a 5 to 6 hours hike to ABC (21100 feet). The dimensions are huge here. We hiked along one single moraine ridge for 5 to 6 hours. It is important to spare your strength. The Swiss climber Daniel descended to BC this morning. He suffered from diarrhea for 3 days and was exhausted. I have to admit: the hike to ABC is a very long way. But the scenery is superb. Beautiful glaciers along the route, and many tall snow covered peaks with Everest rising. At the end of the day we see the Changste face, leading to the north col (our next goal). I arrive in ABC, completely knackered. Hans has already met some friends from his previous expedition in 2000 which offered us tea. And I was very thirsty. Our cooks just arrived but they have to build the cook tent first before they can serve hot drinks. Due to the altitude we suffer from sleepless nights and headaches but that is part of the game... But the view on the surrounding mountains is beautiful. 

16 April ABC: Hans: Today and tomorrow we have two rest days in ABC to acclimatize. Our plans: On April 18 we climb to North Col and back to ABC. On April 19th we descend to BC and give the video tapes to a English woman who will bring it to Katmandu to be send to the Netherlands. The 20th will be a rest day and the 21st we go back to ABC in one day. 

17 April ABC: Hans: Wilco is suffering from diarrhea. Hopefully he will be able to go to North col tomorrow. Everything else is OK. The weather is nice so far. The cook and the cook boy are building a toilet. We have to use it frequently due to the bad food. Asian Trekking didn't spend a fortune on this International team. In 2000 it was much better. But it should not stop us from having fun. And we still have not paid 25% of the costs yet, which we keep in our pockets until the service improves. The sun is heating up my tent and makes me go outside to send this dispatch. Regards, Hans and Wilco. PS Due to software problems we can't send pictures at this moment. Hopefully it is just a minor thing which we will resolve soon with help from home.