 |
| The
Team |
|
| Dave
Pritt |
Adventure
Peaks Leader |
| Jill
Pinkerton |
Adventure
Peaks |
| |
|
| Chris
Burrows-Wood |
UK |
| Murray
Campbell |
UK |
| Holly
Gushe |
Canada |
| David
Horrex |
UK |
| Andy
Mayers |
UK |
| Patricia
McGuirk |
Ireland |
| John
Neville |
Ireland |
| Stuart
Peacock |
UK |
| Gordon
Read |
UK |
|
Update
21st April 2002
4/11/02
The group left base camp as planned along with
54 Yaks and numerous Yak herders for
Intermediate camp at 5800m. The journey was
quite uninterrupted, arriving at camp after
about 5hrs. On arrival we were greeted with
Sherpa soup (vindaloo strength) & some
extremely cold weather, but most important moral
was high.
4/12/02
Having almost been blown back to base camp
during the night we woke up feeling very much
refreshed. Leaving at 8am, very much refreshed
we headed towards Advanced Base Camp 6400m
passing through some incredible scenery. The ice
pinnacles being extremely impressive. Our pace
was good with everyone arriving between 4 and 6
hours.
4/13/02
A day of rest relaxation, acclimatisation,
admiration of the wonderful views and
appreciation that we were on Everest.
4/14/02
Acclimatisation walks were taken to the bottom
of the North Col from where it was possible to
gauge the route and to take on board the type of
distances involved. No other group had fixed
lines to the North Col yet, although it was rumored
the Korean team who had arrived a few days
earlier may do so tomorrow.
4/15/02
The Korean Team keen to make good use of the
weather did start to fix lines today. Full
credit to them they completed the task in good
style today. Due to acclimatisation we were only
able to watch through binoculars and agreed to
move additional rope up to the North Col for
future fixing. Our moral hit a new high knowing
the job was done and that we could move up to
the North Col soon ourselves.
4/16/02
After an energy regenerating breakfast of
cereal, porridge and fried eggs, a large
proportion of the team and its Sherpas set off
for the North Col with equipment and supplies
for Camp 1 at 7000m. A successful day was had
and the team returned to celebrate good progress
and the prospect of a rest day.
4/17/02
The sherpas continued the work of the previous
day and returned to the North Col to finally
establish our camp on the North Col, from which
we would be able to push further up the mountain
in future weeks to camp 2 at 7800m. Jill, Dave
and Holly dropped back down to base camp to
allow Jill to rest and recover following a ten
day period of sickness, which made
acclimatisation at ABC difficult.
4/18/02
The rest of the team had planned to ascend to
the North Col to sleep before returning to Base
camp for five days of rest, a normal process for
acclimatisation. On reaching the bottom of the
North Col it was obvious the winds were far too
strong to make a comfortable safe ascent so the
decision was made to return to ABC.
4/19/02
Still with strong winds the whole team decided
to drop down to Base camp for a well earned rest
and to build up their strength with much eating,
drinking and sun worshiping.
4/21/02
Plans for the next week were made. Dave and Jill
will move back up to ABC tomorrow (Mon)
following the end of their rest period and the
group will meet up with them on Wed/Thursday.
All members will aim to sleep on the North Col
this week and to progress towards camp 2 at
7800m.
Full
report soon.
 Dispatches
|
