Enforced R and R
- 22 Sep 06, 11:22 AM
Hello from Cho OYu Base Camp again
Since I last blogged the whole team have been up to Camp one, some with a stop off at Lake Camp, and then back down to Cho Oyu base camp again. Six members of the team made it as far as camp two, which sits at over 7000m. The team is now sitting at base camp taking some enforced rest as there is a storm predicted for the next three days.
Once the storm has passed, we will head back up the mountain and try to move on up. The team members that managed to get to camp two described a very long day's climb from camp one to camp two. Once at camp two the views were magnificent, but the moment the sun went down it was bitterly cold, making it difficult to contemplate doing anything until the sun came up again in the morning. Hugh Montgomery has described his personal experinces on the Xtreme Everest Website.
I visited camp one only, as this was my first climb above Cho Oyu base camp. I had been prevented from going before by a bout of flu. The trek to Lake camp was hard, as I was not completely recovered. Therefore, I found the following day which is a slow slog up a steep scree slope easier, even though the altitude was higher. Camp one sits at about 6400m, the highest I have ever been, and certainly ever slept at! I use the term 'slept' figuratively, as I hardly got a wink of sleep all night. The following morning I felt really rough. High altitude can affect your appetite and your desire to drink. Certainly, I found it hard to force myself to eat or drink anything, and actually vomited soon after waking.
With the advice of our Medical Officer, Dr Denny Levett, I made the decision to go down rather than stay another night, even though I felt as weak as a kitten and not like walking anywhere. It was absolutely the right decision, as I got down the mountain in a slow four and a half hours, and had a bite to eat, two hours sleep, and then was able to eat a reasonable amount of the evening meal. We went to bed at 22.30, and I slept solidly until 06.30. This was the first decent night's sleep in about 7 days. Currently, the wind is blowing the tent around that I am writing this in. It is snowing outside, and I am glad I am not still on the mountain. HOwever, I am keen to go back up to see whether I can acclimatise better next time and so get further up Cho Oyu.
I will write again soon, and am working on the twins to write a few words about their experiences also.
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Kay
Hope you recover and get another chance to get higher. You are always in my thoughts. lots of love Andrew XXX
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Good Luck, Kay the next time you try to go higher. I can feel your
bliss at the sheer relief you felt by descending and recall that same feeling on Kili many years ago. You are a lot higher, of course, and I hope you can achieve your goal. You say the 'whole team' had advanced - does that include my husband? I've had no word since he evacuated the Canadian (5 days ago) who had had a stroke and, from inercepting his aol mail, it looked as though Sundeep was waiting for him. Has he 'walked into camp' yet? - sounded like he had a lot of cathcing up to do! Love from us all in the midst of horrible weather as the end of Hurricaine Gordon sweeps across much of the UK.
Especially Caitie who turned sweet 16 today!xxxxx
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Hi Kay
Congratulations on climbing higher than ever before, and we look forward to hearing about your next attempt to reach a new high - it can't have been easy not being 100%, but I think you're amazing to have done what you've done, and I'm really proud to be one of your siblings. I've amended my log-on, so every time I use the computer we can all see 'auntie Kay' beaming out at us, which is great. Good luck on your next attempt.
Love Mary xx
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Hi Kay,
While you're "working on the twins" (the mind boggles), can you tell Chris (he's the less good looking one) that my wife wants her ice axe back please.
Actually we send lots of love and positive upwards energy or whatever to spur you all summit bound and back, but carefully (with ice axe intact please.)
Onwards and upwards!
Hugo
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Message for Chris VT - glad to see that you and Xander are growing an international fan base although i'm not sure californian blondes are quite the thing for the himalayas!
signed
busty brunette
PS Much love to Mike Stroud
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Hi Kay and the rest of the team,
I'm full of admiration for your bravery at ascending to such heights.
Hope you're not getting too cold. It's wonderful to hear from you so often. I feel that I'm really part of a special expedition. Keep up the good work, but don't take any unnecessary risks.
We had a torrential downpour today - thunder and lightning - very exciting.
Talking about weather - how do you know what the weather will be like? Are there weather forecasts you can tune into? And how reliable are they?
Take care and lots of love
Ruth and family.
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Hi Kay
I am so pleased that you have managed at least one good night's sleep and I hope there are more to follow.
Your determination is shown by your desire to re-acclimatize where others would just whinge!
Please keep the up-dates flowing...if only to remind myself that I have nothing to genuinely moan about!
I am looking forward to knowing your storm has calmed too.
All the best
Tina
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Hi Everyone! I have found several bloggers who are all singing your praises for your selfless care, kindness and medical expertise. Well done, you're heroes or angels to many. Have also been listening in to Phil Crampton's voice reports of the weather. He is with a 大象传媒 reporter on Cho Oyu. Chest high snow at ABC! 1 or 2 more days before the weather may show you some kindness by the sounds of it. Let's hope you get the break you deserve and your opportunity to make the summit. Hurricane Gordon has left the UK and we are enjoying 22 degree sunshine today - sorry chaps! if you are interested in other news and views. xxxx
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