We are at Camp 2, at 11,003ft. The view here is stupendous, and very turned around from the view yesterday. We now look at Foraker to the southwest, Thunder Rudge is right in front of us, as is our path to Camp 3, which is to our east. Just beside camp is a mountain with these huge seracs. I just stare at it and wander what’s keeping them from falling. These seracs are the size of multiple houses, thousands of tons of ice, glistening in the sunshine. It’s incredible.
The hike today was for the first part the same as yesterday, and then we passed our cache and swung east uphill, serious uphill, for a further hour and a half. The final pull up to Camp 2 is tough. Finally at about 9:30 amWe broke camp at Camp 1 at 4 am, having got up at 2. Finally at 9:30 am we crested the hill and we were at Camp 2. Today I listened to podcasts, as we tackled the hill beyond on the cache. I needed distraction. There is a reasonable crowd in Camp 2. We spent a couple of hours establishing camp. Ben, our 2nd guide, said to make it comfortable, as there is a risk of weather change, and we could be here a while. Andrew and I have a good spot. We took advantage of a previous tenant. The site needed some flattening, but it has an awesome boot hole in the porch. After setting up, I got a solid 2 hours of sleep. Then I helped get the posh built. It’s pretty elegant.
The temp outside is mid 20’s, which I cannot believe. Standing outside is very hot, almost too hot. Sunscreen is essential, as is wearing a hood, baseball cap, sunglasses, and a nose cover.
Dinner tonight is quesadillas. So far the food has been decent. Goal is to eat as much as you can. Take seconds if available. Also soup to start. Miso or some awful corn concoction. Soup goes in my mug. It means my soup tastes of coffeee, and my coffee of soup!9 hit the sack by 8 pm. There is a game of dice going on, but I got the sleeping bag and read my book, until my hand gets too cold. In bed I’m in a base layer, boxers, my down booties, my beanie and light gloves. Nights haven’t been so cold so far. Oh I forgot, earplugs and an awesome face mask that completely blocks the light. Tomorrow we go back downhill to collect our cache, to bring it up to Camp 2.
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