North Col - 7800m

Email update to Dave Pritt, Adventure Peaks, http://www.adventurepeaks.com/

The team started out this morning in extremely strong winds which, as the forecast predicted, seem to have subsided throughout the day however they have remained strong enough to provide their fair share of challenges. After the strong winds last night, everyone headed out at around 8am, happy to be out of their tents and moving up the slope to 7800m. Some members of the team went on oxygen from 7000 as previously arranged and others opted to collect their cylinders from 7500m. Oxygen has clearly helped as those on it from 7000m moved well whist those collecting from 7500m are moving much more slowly. The sherpas were busy setting up camp at 7800m so several sherpas went back down to 7500m to bring down oxygen to those moving more slowly. I think that both Stu and Matt definitely have their hands full at the moment trying to get everyone into camp safely and with enough strength to continue on tomorrow.... I think that quite a few nerves were shaken as this feels like the first time that we've really witnessed what Everest is all about.

It's now 5pm and I think about 30% of the team is in camp. Matt is with the bulk of the group and they're just making their way up from 7500m and are expected to arrive in camp at around 7pm. A long night ahead... Fortunately the wind seems to have subsided quite a lot so at least people can sleep without the worry of tents collapsing over their heads..! I also think that we'll likely have some sherpas staying more closely with the team tomorrow while others go up to set up the camp at 8300m. Additionally, as of tomorrow everyone will be on oxygen so that should increase the energy levels..!