Good evening everyone, this is Luis Benitez reporting for Alpine Ascents International 2002 Expedition.

We all made it up here to Camp II in spectacular time today, most of us averaging 4-5 hours and everyone, I'm happy to say, is feeling strong, healthy and ready to go. We're sticking with our original schedule right now, tomorrow being a rest day; the following day, moving up to Camp II and then progressively higher in our push for the top.

Little bit of excitement today with a little bit of collapsing in the Icefall as the IMG team moved down. Nobody was hurt but it was a little scary for them, according to what they said on the radio. As well as Jeff is still down below, feeling a little better, but wishing us all good luck and hoping he is able to join us at some point in the near future.

Right now we're all getting ready for a wonderful dinner, we're all excited to be up here. It was a little breezy coming up today; it was kind of a blessing as it killed the heat coming through the Western Cwm, but now as the sun goes down we're all bundling into our down jackets and down suits ready for some awesome tomato soup by [Camp II cooks] Ang Tsering and Nima. And looking forward to a good dinner and a good night's rest up here.

Everyone pretty much agrees that they can definitely tell the acclimatization process has helped everyone along; people are feeling really good: no headaches, no nausea and ready to go. So, until tomorrow, this is Luis wishing everyone the best of evenings.

On a personal note, I just wanted to wish my baby brother congratulations on graduating and let him know my thoughts and my love are with him and this is Camp II wishing everyone a pleasant evening.

— Luis Benitez, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent

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