Update #6: Tuesday, 16 April 2002 from Everest BC (north side): Today Adrian, Scott and Jim went for an acclimatization hike, with Adrian leaving a little ahead of the other two because they were fumbling around camp. We climbed out of BC to the south up a frozen glacial drainage, maybe WI 1, but soft from the sun. It must have been 200 feet wide in spots. We walked up this for a mile and a half or so, gaining about 750 feet in elevation. We had a snack and then headed up the side of a relatively small 20,000 feet high peak, climbing to around 18,000 feet. We had the most spectacular view of Giaen Chung, 7,980 meters and the connecting ridge to Cho Oyu, 8,200 meters. We could also see Everest, Nuptse and Pumori. We are truly surrounded by giants!

Tomorrow the yak come and we will pack and weigh our bags for the trip to our Interim Camp on the 18th. The weather has been beautiful with blue sky all the time; just some wind in the afternoon.

We have been talking with Bruce and Mike from Boulder, Colorado. They are going to attempt a new route and the 5th ascent of Giaen Chung.

Well, it is yak for dinner tonight. Ye hah!!

Dispatches