Everest North Side Expedition:  Adventure Peaks

 Current Tibet Date/Time

Report No 5 - 28 April - "BACK AT ABC": Lassitude, lethargy, langour. Or is it just downright laziness? One of the most noticeable effects of spending time at this altitude is the extreme level of apathy that results. Knowing full well that you, our avid readers, have waited with bated breath for further news of our progress we have battled against this effect to bring you our fourth installment:

We last left you on tenterhooks with two of our members (Peter and Walid) about to spend the night above 7,000m on the North Col. Suffice to say their night passed less than comfortably with them physically holding the tent walls up in the gusting winds. The other tents (without the same diligent occupiers) didn't fare quite so well, so the next morning we sent Conan up, armed with needle and thread to repair the damage.

Having received enough of a beating, and our bodies starting to deteriorate at the altitude we decided it high time to return to Base Camp (BC). And what a wonderful decision it turned out to be: BC was positively tropical by comparison, with its wonderfully thick inviting air and night time temperatures barely below freezing. The four days we spent there healed our bodies wonderfully, and we were left strong and ready for our next foray up high above the snows.

But first the long walk to Advance Base Camp (ABC). 22 kilometers of mind numbing plodding along what has euphemistically been titled the Moraine Superhighway. This walk is not to be underestimated at it gains over 1,000m and ends at an altitude of 6,400m - its hardly surprising that other groups split the walk into 2 stages. Well not us, with our penchant for pain, we just slog it out in one go (with varying degrees of success). Phil, by way of example, arrived late at night with his entourage in tow (1 Sherpa, 2 Yaks and accompanying herder) - well the invite said bring guests!

All that brings us rather nicely to where we are now, as the title states, back at ABC. Waiting for a storm to pass before we can venture higher up the mountain (7,500m being our goal this time). If all then goes to plan its another few days recuperating at BC, this time, however, waiting for the 'weather window' which will lead to our summit bids.

Keep checking for another updates at that time ...

Dispatches