The walk to ABC - Interim Camp

“Smile” -- CLICK

With the official team photo captured on about 8 gigs of memory cards over 26 digital cameras, we hoisted our rucksacks on our backs under the shadow of the prayer flags which radiated from the stupa and flapped in the gentle breeze.

Spirits were high and adrenaline was pumping - we were off and would soon take the first altitude-affected steps of many up to the summit of Everest. A challenging day was promised (and delivered) on account of the altitude gain and the forray into the unknown. The smell of SPF 50 floated through the breeze as we marched out of BC. While we set off, the yak herders loaded the supplies we would need for ABC and above onto the yaks which would follow us up the mountain stopping at ABC.

The morning passed uneventfully enough and the views were spectacular - we are well and truly in Tibet..! A rocky moraine trail, some ups and downs. The gradual altitude gain over a relatively well marked path made comfortable walking and provided a steady rhythm. That combined with great company from Max and Torsten made for an entertaining few hours.

An early morning juice box, egg, and beef jerkey break was held at about noon under a bright blue sky and the warmth of the sun. Sprawled out over several boulders alongside the path the journey thus far seemed almost too good to be true…. Probably because it was…

The final 2.5 hours of the 5- hour hike were tough because of the altitude, for the 1st time during the trek up, began to play a significant role. The path became increasingly rocky and it felt like we were crossing laterally over the moraines - so we were continuously going up then down, then, up, then down, …. Exhausting and frustrating.

Every time I began to climb a rocky moraine slope I prayed that interim camp would appear at the top. Unfortunately I had to wait a long time for this..! Rock falls on the cliffs on either side of the path continued to provide a source of nervous entertainment, the sound of our heavy breathing and plodding boots only broken by the shouts of ‘HEADS’ as yet another rumbling stream of rock and dust slid a hundred feet to the valley floor.

I was so incredibly relieved when the bright yellow Ozark tents appeared on the horizon. I quickened my pace to such an extent that by the time I reached the top of the final moraine to “Interim Camp Tent City” I was so out of breath and so exhausted I could hardly form a sentence.

Everyone collapsed in the kitchen tent while the cook served hot drinks which we eagerly accepted with open, down-clad arms. It was not long after the yaks arrived with our bags that we dined on a feast of traditional dahl and fell into the warm comfort of our sleeping bags.