Arose in the Nepalese village of Teshinge to be greeted by a beautiful day. There was not a single cloud in the sky. To the North I could see the summit of Everest shrouded with a faint cloud of snow spray. It would be a good day for a summit attempt. In fact there are two teams up at base camp waiting to go to the top of the world before the window of opportunity closes at the end of October. Yesterday, a lot of helicopters were in as there are some sick people being airlifted off. Let's hope they make a full recovery.
Today we all gathered outside the lodge for the big haul up from Tesinge to Dingbocke a climb which will take us from 12,000 feet to 14,000. This is the point where the need for acclimatisation will be paramount for all. The surrounding mountains are calling and I send the trek on it's way with a version of Presence Of Love. (“I'm walking in the seven heavens")
The beginning of the trek was uphill and quite a strenuous cliimb. I am drinking virtually every step of the way and downing water at every possiblility. We are due to meet up with Sean Swarner today. Sean is the first cancer survivor to climb to the summit of Everest. He has flown in to Lukla and we know he is on his way to meet us but is not answering his walkie talkie at this hour of the day.
The general consensus is that this is the most beautiful day in the mountains., Everyone is walking quietly along maintaining their own rhythm. The weather is quite warm but very chilly when I stop.
A good four hour hike uphill sees us reach our destination of Dingboche. We literally traversed the entire side of Ama dablam who now is visible in a different light and als a different profile.
Now we have to acclimatise and I have been using my Steripen to make the water fit for Human consumption. We are in a wooden lodge with Buddhist symbols on the ceiling. It's going to be a very cold night........
