Camp One, Camp Two… And Camp Three!

Just arrived at Camp Two.  Tired, cold but still smiling so it wasn't all bad!
Just arrived at Camp Two. Tired, cold but still smiling so it wasn't all bad!

After a few days rest at base camp (and two showers!) on Good Friday we set off again with the intention of spending a night at Camp One and moving on the following day to spend a few nights at Camp Two.  All part of the acclimatization plan.

Getting from Camp One through the Khumbu Icefall was excellent and we made great time.  Honestly though I really struggled to get from Camp One to Camp Two.  Although it’s only about 400m higher and just a steep trek (not a climb) I was tired and my legs had two speeds – slow and stop!

The following day (April 24th) was not only Easter Sunday but also my birthday!  I was feeling much better, energy levels back to normal.  (More about my birthday soon!).

Back to normal energy levels, pointing out a rather large crevasse near Camp Two
Back to normal energy levels, pointing out a rather large crevasse near Camp Two

Because the weather was pretty good we decided to have a rest day at Camp Two then spend a couple of days climbing a little higher above Camp Two. The climb between Camp Two and Three is split into two parts; a steep hike to the bottom of the Lhotse face then a steep climb straight up the Lhotse face to Camp Three.  (It’s hideous).

The good weather continued so we made a push for Camp Three on 28th April. It took me almost 7hrs to get there, it was really tough and was a huge reminder of just how hard big mountain climbing is.
At 7,100m Camp Three is high.  It’s hard to do anything up there, there’s so little oxygen.  My resting heart rate was about 90-100bpm!  It’s difficult to sleep, you lose your appetite and headaches are common.  On a positive note the views of Everest are incredible.We spent two nights at Camp Three before coming back down to base camp. That means

our acclimatization is done!  It also means I’d spent ten days without a shower.  Within minutes of getting back to base camp I was in the shower.  Well, I was standing in a small tent under a 4litre bag of water. It was AMAZING!

View of Mt Everest from Camp Three
View of Mt Everest from Camp Three

The next week will be spent resting.  Climbing to Camp Three really took its toll.  The entire team is fit and healthy.  Everyone made it to Camp Three and is in good spirits!  We’ll be watching the weather and the next time we climb we’ll be on the summit push!

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