Greetings Everyone.
Today marks, hopefully, the last of our rest days for the next week or so. Tomorrow, bright and early, we plan to head up to Camp I.
So, what does that mean? Tea at 3:30am, departure at 4:30am. Why do we do this? To avoid the heat of the day hitting us in the Icefall. The waiting has been good for us. The time has allowed the sniffles of many to pass, the stomachs of others to run their courses, and the Icefall to be fixed and ready to use
I myself have been busy playing computer repairman to our neighbors, the French. How someone that failed, yes failed, typing in high school actually got a whole team's sat phone and computer system back up and running again is beyond me. The food I actually got to consume while over there was out of this world. Foie gras, wine, olives, proscuitto, you name it; got to know the team and remaining film crew well.
Then today, much to our amusement, they arrived in our camp to say thanks (I got a beret, and while I have never actually owned a beret, Vern thinks I look good), eat some chocolate chip cookies, (that's right, no foie gras compares to good ol' home cookin'), play a little guitar, and simply talk of climbing, goals, good books, and things we all miss about home.
The rest of the day was spent packing and planning. Jeff asked Luis, 'What do you think about the MP3 and the Game Boy?' I replied, 'Jeff, only if you bring the Legend of Zelda.' Most of our meals are spent in hot political debate given the world issues at hand right now. Today, however, was more focused on how many socks to bring, what gloves are warmer, and just exactly how cold it is at 3am. My answer to everyone, 'DAMN CHILLY!'
So expect to hear from us via Iridium phone from up on the mountain. We will try to send photos back down to Base Camp to process while we are up there so you all can see what we are up to. Who will be here to send the photos you ask? Why Ellie, our Base Camp guru, has finally arrived after dropping off the trekkers in Lukla. We are all excited to have "mama" back among us making sure all the boys behave themselves and to give Alex some much needed female companionship and who actually speaks English.
So till later, everyone here wants to make sure that everyone back home, from London, to Canada, to the USA, knows that we all love you, are thinking about you, and carry thoughts of you up the hill with us.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go.....
Luis
— Luis Benitez, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent