Everest North Side Expedition:  Adventure Peaks

 Current Tibet Date/Time

Report No 8 - SUMMIT PLANS 13th April: The team returned to BC aware the next time they trod the same ground it would be on their way to the summit. We have now been playing the waiting game for the last week to ten days, our weather forecasts now show a possible summit window around the 22-23 May. We get our weather forecast from Switzerland in conjunction with Kari Kobler & Partners (A Swiss Expedition Company), in the past they have proven to be very accurate.

Its been a long wait for a favouarable forecast this year, the group have occupied their time visiting other camps, the Tibetan Bars for the odd Lhasa bear, playing cards, reading and performing on Chinese TV. As part of the 50th Anniversary of the first Ascent CCTV (Chinese TV) have in conjunction with the Chinese team been preparing to broadcast live coverage of their ascent. The amount of technology and equipment involved is incredible, including a 2km fiber optic cable from the North Col (7020m - 6400m) As part of the show interviews have been held with other teams to show an International flavor. Patricia and I were given 30 seconds each to perform live to 1.2 Billion viewers. The Chinese team are on a tight schedule to summit as a result of the TV, and are aiming for 17-18 May (Not the best weather according to our forecast!!!)

We have also been visited by the Chinese Army and our whole camp sprayed along with all other teams against 'Sars Flu' , very useful and I'm please we can now relax knowing we are clean and we have no need to use our shower for the rest of the expedition.

The team will leave BC on Thursday 15th or Friday 16th for the long trek back to ABC, rest and do their final preparations until 18th before leaving for the North Col on the 19th. It will then be Camp 1 (7800m) on 20th, Camp 2 (8200m on 21st), Summit 22nd returning to 7800m and back to ABC on 23rd. Our summit bids will start on the 22nd at around 2am from camp 2 members should reach the summit at around 11-12 noon, arriving back at top camp at 4-5pm. The above is based on current advanced weather forecasts and could be adjusted as we receive further information.

We have allowed three days after the summit bids to clear the mountain before Yaks arrive to take us to BC (2 days), a further day of clearing at BC will see us in Jeeps heading back to Kathmandu on the 30th May.

Dispatches