29th
May Well the team are all back in Kathmandu
for tea and medals! - and we're not joking about the medals. They
arrived smack bang in the middle of the Everest festival where they
recieved a heros welcome! Now after a few lemonades they're all
enjoying sleeping in a bed for the first time in a couple of months.
They should all be back in the Uk on the 2nd June.
26th
May It's snowing heavily but the whole team
are now down at Base Camp relaxing, eating well and watching DVD's.
The final yaks are coming down from ABC with the remaining equipment
and the pack up has started. The lorries and Land Cruisers should
be arriving on the 28th and everyone should be back in Kathmandu
by the 29th ready for the highlight of the trip - As Everest summiteers
they get to sign the walls of the Rum Doodle Restaurant!
23rd
May 15:30 BST. Paul has just phoned in from
ABC and confirmed that the whole team including the Sherpas are
safe at Advanced Base Camp. They're all well and getting some well
deserved rest. Photos and stories to come tomorrow but a huge well
done to everyone, especially the Sherpa's who have been immense
as usual and without whom none of this could have happened. Sleep
well folks!
23rd
May 10:30 BST Gyanu, our ABC Cook, has just
reported that 2 of the team have safely reached ABC and the rest
are descending the slopes from the North Col. Meanwhile our Sherpas
are in the process of clearing Camp 2. More updates to come as soon
as we hear anything.
12:14
UK Time Paul Noble , Andrew Williams and
the six sherpas are back at the top camp. They will stay there tonight
and head further down tomorrow. Allan, Troy, Andrew Edwards &
Paul James are now down at the 7800m camp. Jack & Lianne are
on their way back down to the North Col.
22nd
May
Fantastic news 13 summit! We have heard from our ABC and BC
staff that the full team except Lianne & Chris have summitted.
All except two members (Andrew Williams & Paul Noble) and their
Sherpas are back at high camp. Well done everyone and we wish you
a safe journey down.
No
news yet as of 3.30am or 7.45am. At the moment we can only assume
there is a problem with the Satellite phone. Still nothing 8.45am.
21st
May The group have arrived safely at high
camp 8200m and are currently resting in preparation for their summit
attempts. We will post an update as soon as we hear anything...normally
around 03.00hrs. Don't panic if nothing appears, much depends
on the sat phone working and for our leader Paul to be in a position
to use it. Good luck to all.
20th
May Paul has just called from Camp 2 at 7800m
which the whole team reached in good time. It was another warm day
and the weather forecast is still looking good for the 22nd with
a slight reduction in the summit winds. Everyone is well and concentrating
on getting the fluids in. There have been a number of summits from
the North again today.
19th
May The team are now in their tents at the
North Col readying themselves for the summit attempt. Chris has
had to return to ABC but the rest of the team are all well and completing
their final preparations. Tomorrow they begin their climb to Camp
2 at 7800m, Camp 3 on the 21st and aiming to summit on the 22nd.
The route is now open to the top with the first teams from the North
summiting today.
15th
May Summit fever has arrived at Base Camp.
After a few days of poor weather with snow and high winds the forecasts
are now indicating the weather window the team have been waiting
for. The current plan is to leave Base Camp tomorrow and take two
leisurely days to reach ABC conserving their strength for the challenge
ahead. If everything is still looking good then they are hoping
to summit on the 21st May. Once the final push is underway we will
have live updates throughout the night to keep you abreast of the
teams progress.
12th
May Well phase 2 of our trip is over.
The team were given a good beasting back up to ABC but snow
and winds couldn't stop them! After a rest day and a Surrendra dalbhat
we were off to N. Col. We stayed for 2 nights at North Col
and visited as high as possible, mostly in the 7300 mts to
7500 mts band. It was cold and windy, perfect for down suits and
a gear sort out. The weather has been a bit rough over the last
few days, sunny starts followed by a windy and snowy afternoon
seems to be the pattern. Currently the ropes are fixed to 8300 metres
with little chance of going further in the current conditions. Our
Sherpas are waiting to set up our camp at 8300 metres and have
cancelled going up 3 days in a row because of the weather. Sherpas
have done good with the N. Col camp, unlike some groups our tents
are still in place, I noticed some teams tents parked in a very
deep crevasse due to the wind. There are a lot of people heading
up today so I'm guessing it'll be for finishing the ropes.
Most
members had left camp this morning when the crags next to ABC threw
a spectacular rock fall. Again, our well placed camp is
well out the way but some rocks got close to some other camps. No
one hurt, no tents damaged but some repositioning was taking
place when I left.
So
now some rest time. Washing, showers, eating and DVD's are likely
to be the order of the day. Expect some emails folks, everyone
here is always looking to hear about home.
Paul Noble.
Lianne Near to The Top of The North Col
The Team Eating & Relaxing at Base Camp
Heavy Snows at Base Camp.
6th
May After a good rest at Base Camp the team
are returning up the 22km of moraine to ABC. Despite a few snow
flurries this afternoon the plan is to move up to spend a couple
of nights at the North Col and climb to 7500m to complete the acclimatisation
phase. Meanwhile the Sherpas have pushed the fixed line out to 8300m
and could potentially complete the route to the summit in the next
couple of days.
2nd
May Everyone is now safely back at Base Camp
after their first climb to the North Col at 7000m. Andy E, Paul,
Jack, Allan & Paul all successfully reached the col on the 30th
April while Andrew W, Lianne & Troy all turned around just 100m
shy of the ridge. Chris had an easier day towards Crampon Corner
to aid his acclimatisation. In a few days the team will climb back
to the North Col to spend the night at 7000m for the first time.
Shelagn has now left on her journey back to Kathmandu leaving the
team in good spirits. It seems Chris has some stories to tell and
Paul's beard is no more!
29th
April The team arrived at ABC yesterday and
have spent their time resting and acclimatizing on the slopes around
the camp. They will walk to the bottom of the headwall today before
they head up to the North Col in a couple of days time.
23rd
April The group have now been up to 6000m
and are awaiting for the arrival of the yaks ready for their departure
to Advance Base Camp on Saturday or Sunday. Everyone is well
and in high spirits.
18th
April The full group have arrived safely in
Base Camp and are now taking further acclimatisation walks. Jack
managed to sample the local dentist en route, but it sounds like
he survived and is in good spirit.
14th
April Paul
emailed in today. The team have now got the permit and are heading
towards the border today. All being well they will cross over into
Tibet tomorrow.
11th
April Paul's
just reported in from Kathmandu where the team are eating - again!
The plan is to head north to Tibet first thing on Tuesday morning.
With their prior acclimatisation it should only be a couple of days
before they are settling in to Base Camp
9th April
Hello from Namche, again!
Well a lot has happened in the last while, difficult to know where
to start. The team still going strong and eating.......alot. I had
always believed altitude put people off food, not this lot. Guest
houses are desperately sending porters out to find more chocolate
cake for Lianne and there will be a national tea shortage soon!
Several members are now trying to find bigger down suits.
Yesterday we visited Ama Dablam base camp with members moving up
to just under 5000 metres. Back at the Namaste Lodge we were greeted
with the news that the Tibetan border has been opened. A few phone
calls were made, then a big ( and probably first serious) discussion
took place. We've decided to head down and will drive to the border
early next week.
We will be in Lukla tomorrow and will fly as soon as possible to
KTM.
As I sat eating breakfast this morning, who did I spy walking up
the trail? (guess at this point......no you're wrong) Sir Chris
Bonnington! Alan (chief blagger) was sent to offer tea. Sir Chris
spent an hour with the team which was very enjoyable. He very much
liked our plan to head North. I think he will probably like it more
when he sees the tents on South side base camp. There is a lot of
equipment and members heading up that way.
Everyone is well- we are very excited about stage 2 of our trip,
I personally suspect they are only interested in eating breakfast
in a KTM hotel.
Paul Noble.
8th
April The team have now reached Pangboche,
the hometown of many of our High Altitude Sherpas, where they are
staying at the tea house owned by Nuru & Sonam's family.
6th
April Andy Edwards emailed in today. The team
went for a walk up to Khunde & Khumjung Monastery, the highlight
was a 30 second clearing in the cloud and a view of Everest, Lhotse
& Nuptse. The group then went to visit Ang Temba Sherpa, the
first Sherpa to summit Kanchenjunga. Allan had climbed with his
Grandson on Baruntse last year. They finished off the day with a
visit to their favourite German bakery in Namche.
5th
April Paul has emailed in from Namche. All
the team are in good spirits and have enjoyed a bit of a rest after
their long flight and early morning departure form Kathmandu. Although
the only complaint from the team is that they are getting fat from
all the food they are eating. Life has been tough for the team with
only enough chocolate cake to go around the group at the bakery.
They will rest at Namche tomorrow, before heading on further up
the Khumbu.
2nd
April The team have all arrived in Kathmandu
and are all really excited about the Adventure that is about to
begin. They had lunch at Northfields cafe and have had time for
bit of shopping in Thamel. Due to the border not being open yet
to Tibet they will fly to Lukla tomorrow and begin their acclimatization
in the Khumbu. Once the border is open they will head back to Kathmandu
and cross over into Tibet.
10th
March The team will depart for Kathmandu
the 1st April.
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