So the last couple of days have consisted of more rest and eating and sleeping, until, today, we started on our way back up to Base Camp. We’re staying the night in Pheriche at a very nice tea house where I have my own en suite and feel very smug about it, and are planning on moving on up to Loubouche tomorrow and Base Camp the day after. Moving up today we could all see the positive effects of the rest we’ve had – we took the same amount of time to come back up as we did to get down there a couple of days ago. We’re all feeling strong and, although coughs haven’t quite disappeared, are looking and sounding a lot more put together than we did after our last rotation.
Today was the type of day that is the reason people can love trekking. The weather was perfect, warm with a slight cool breeze, the views were beautiful, we were going a comfortable pace and we all felt great. I almost didn’t want to arrive here.
The news on the mountain that we’ve heard is that they were planning on trying to fix to the summit either today or tomorrow (10th or 11th) before the winds are forecasted to come in on the 12th. We’re aiming to get back and in position for a potential timetable where the earliest summit date could be the 20th – the winds are forecasted to die down on the 19th. So, with our schedule, we should have two or three rest days at Base Camp before heading on up to get in place for our summit push. That is all, of course, weather dependent.
The life changing decisions I mentioned are not actually related to the mountain: Whilst at 6500m I made my decision on where I plan to study for university. I readdressed this at a more sensible altitude, and still came to the same decision and in the last few days have officially confirmed my choice. Albeit getting in to study veterinary in the UK I’ve actually decided not to do this (something I never expected from myself) and have decided to study in the West Indies, Grenada, instead. I decided it would be more fun. Scary decisions though!
I also appear to have broken my coccyx descending the Ice Fall last time we came down… The doctor in our group says that it’s pretty common and there’s nothing I can do about it – it’ll just be painful and will heal by itself. It is painful, however it doesn’t make any difference to my climbing, and generally doesn’t bother me at all when we’re moving, more when I sit down. So, c’est la vie, and life carries on.
The other thing that I forgot to mention on our descent was the wonderful birthday cake Jenny made for me! It was orange and vanilla and had brilliant decoration showing a picture of a climber being carried away by balloons with Everest below and writing saying happy birthday. It was delicious. On the subject of birthdays I’d also like to say happy birthday to my mum for yesterday!
On that note, I hope everyone’s enjoying and appreciating the little comforts in life, and is healthy and happy. Ttfn.