Final Preparation...

Today was ‘sorting out kit day’ - a day dedicated to buying all of the extra bits and pieces needed for the mountain and also get training in using our ‘Top Out’ oxygen masks. We gathered in the garden of the hotel for a presentation by Tom Atkins, a former RAF pilot, to learn how to hook the masks up to the oxygen tanks, put the masks on, and troubleshoot in the event that things should go wrong. An interesting but daunting presentation as it has started to make the experience so much more ‘real’. There were a lot of questions on the ‘engineering’ behind the mask as well as the history verses the former Poisk masks. Fortunately we will have another opportunity to try the masks and the Top Out system when we get to base camp.

Following the presentation the group split and everyone went their separate ways to buy the final bits and pieces of food and kit. It’s both overwhelming and fascinating to walk around the dusty, chaotic streets - photo opportunities around every corner. It’s a city that makes one appreciate the conveniences of the ’western world’ and serves as an excellent gateway to the mountains and adrenaline induced adventures.

The afternoon was spent dividing my kit - clothing I’d need within the next 8 days during the acclimatisation process and clothing that I wouldn’t need until I got up to Basecamp for the ’official’ part of the climb itself. Key highlights of the shopping trip included a visit to the famous “Shona’s”, one of the best outdoor gear shops in Thamel, buying bar of dishwashing soap thinking it was laundry detergent and also 2 Canada patches for my jacket.

Dinner was at Killroys, also a well known Irish restaurant in the heart of Thamel. A giant table of 26 was spread and dinner was served. The mood was high but ‘tense’ with the realisation that our departure date was imminent. We all headed back to our rooms at 9:30pm for what would be our final ‘proper’ nights sleep before heading onto the bus and into the Himalayas. All in all a productive day.

It’s been great to meet everyone on the team it’s daunting to think of what we’ll be experiencing together over the coming weeks and months. While I am excited I am nervous and have so many questions which will be answered as the days unfold. Tomorrow morning we meet a 6:30am for breakfast with a view to start the 7-hour bus journey to the Tibetan border at 7am