April 19: Sama Gaon to Base Camp

From the Team:

Well we're mountain climbers after all.  Had a big day today; humped it four thousand feet up to base camp. Wow, what a scene.  Jerome was still feeling a bit weak so he only went part way up, but the rest of us made it in fine form.  Everyone was feeling strong with no headaches despite the fact that base camp is one thousand feet higher than the summit of Mt. Rainier.

Tomorrow we will move our entire operation up to base camp.  We wanted to bring our kit up to base today but there is a bridge out near Sama Gaon and all the labor is dedicated to rebuilding it; first things first.  I figure they owe us one as Brain helped a guy who had crushed his foot at the job site.  Brian and I encountered the fellow as he was hobbling down the trail and Brian literally took him under the arm and helped him into town.  His foot was broken, but all we could do was soak it and give him some Tylenol 3.  The closest X-ray is in Kathmandu; I doubt he'll be going there.  It certainly is a different world here.

Nawang, our Sirdar, ran down to the neighboring village to buy a goat so we have fresh meat during the expedition. I wonder if he plans to make the guy walk to his fate at base camp.  Had some water buffalo tonight; my teeth are still hurting.

Manaslu was shining in all its glory when we crawled out of our tents this morning; the picture we've attached was taken from our camp site here in Sama Gaon.  We're also including the long awaited shot of Jerome at his birthday party, but don't let that smile and cake let you think that it's all easy out here.  The last photo is us up at base camp; we have a few tents up and will spend the next two days getting dug in.  There is over five feet of snow at base.

We're still struggling with the solar panel situation. A group of Australians are flying in their gear and we hope to have a big solar panel coming in on their flight.  We'll see what happens.  Hopefully we'll still be able to transmit from base -- wish us luck.

That's all for now. Keep us in your thoughts as we enter Phase V.

Dispatches