Everest 2006: Fi and Paul: Exploring Everest Base camp

Location: Everest Base Camp
Altitude: 5350m
Local Time: 17:45, 8 April
Weather: Some clouds, warm during the day, -1C now.

Hi it's Bridget here, typing with cold fingers after the 4 of us have just been out exploring the broader base camp vicinity. Our camp is quite near the ice fall, but more and more camps have sprung up even since Chris and I arrived a few days ago, it's a mini-city.

Walking on the glacier
Paul and Fiona took us out for a walk on the glacier - it's beautiful out amongst the ice and its many formations. Must say that Chris and I were more nervous walking on the frozen surface than our experienced mountaineering friends!!

Chris and Paul took to determining the strength of frozen surfaces and ice formations by throwing rocks around like little kids ... smash, crash, splash!

Further down the glacier we had a good look around a crashed helicopter from a few years ago.

Farewell to Base Camp from us
Chris and I leave tomorrow, and will be flying out of Lukla to Kathmandu in 4 days time. Amazing that it will only be a 4 day walk out after such a long walk in. But we'll be 2,500 meters lower in 4 days! Without having to acclimatize we can tear down.

We've had an awesome holiday trekking into Base Camp. It's been a privilege sharing the time with Paul and Fiona as they set out on their massive adventure. Even from the base of the ice fall at about 5350m it's impossible for Chris and I to fathom what they are about to undertake. The IMG team have been great to hang out with. We'll also miss our daily card challenges against Paul and Fiona!

Namaste from Bridget and Chris
We'll be sad to leave the lovely hills of Nepal, the great scenery and the friendly people. Will be nice to have a decent shower in Kathmandu though (and for Chris to shave off his beard)!
We'll be checking in all the time from our next holiday destination India, and be following the climb from a beach (how lazy are we?!)

Bridget and Chris

Updates

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

A cold weather, high altitude double boot for extreme conditions The Olympus Mons is the perfect choice for 8000-meter peaks. This super lightweight double boot has a PE thermal insulating inner boot that is coupled with a thermo-reflective outer boot with an integrated gaiter. We used a super insulating lightweight PE outsole to keep the weight down and the TPU midsole is excellent for crampon compatibility and stability on steep terrain. WEIGHT: 39.86 oz • 1130 g LAST: Olympus Mons CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip lasted Outer: Board Lasted OUTER BOOT: Cordura® upper lined with dual-density PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam and thermo-reflective aluminium facing/ Insulated removable footbed/ Vibram® rubber rand See more here.

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