Today is a planned rest day. I woke about 6 am to hear the shoveling of snow and a steady patter on the roof of the tent. There had been a steady snow fall overnight, and the sherpas had not been able to make their planned overnight move up to Camp 2 and Camp 4.
Over breakfast, Terray explained because of the lack of Sherpa advance, we will not leave BC and start our summit attempt tomorrow. New plan I hear you say!! If the snow stops, and we get some rain, then the Sherpas might move tonight, and we would move up on Sept 21 to Camp 1, and then go Camp 1 to Camp 3, skipping Camp 2. Clearly, it’s who knows?
People already up the mountain are also stuck. There are a number of sides to that,
a) it’s much more comfortable to be stuck in BC
b) they are further up and may be above this snowfall
c) depending on where the snow is falling, higher up one might have to wait to dissipate any avalanche risk. We have heard those in Camp 3, should be clear to attempt a summit push.
All that said, we are where we are, and we wait. The possibility of summiting before the storm are diminishing quickly. At this stage my gut says we won’t make it up and down before Sept 25. If that’s the case we will go back to Sama, wait out the storm there, and see if a post storm attempt is possible. Like I say everyday, today’s plan is to wait for tomorrow’s plan!
In the meantime we used today to get some downsuit awareness, – on, off, vent, wee, poo – the essentials. Also did our oxygen cylinder practice. All important stuff.
Will probably watch Clarkson’s Farm this afternoon. I have finished the book London Falling, and have started Theo of Golden – a beautifully written book – let’s see if it matches the hype. Little photography to share.
Site Title 
Leave a comment