Wednesday 21st April 2010
April 21st, 2010 . by adminFi’s Blog – Wednesday 21st April 2010
Well, huge apologies those who have been trying to follow my blog. Problems with our satellite internet connection have prevented me from keeping you all up to date with progress.
We got to base camp on 10th April after a long walk from Pheriche. This was a killer, but worth it to avoid the overcrowded tea-houses on the way. After a couple of days of resting and nesting, Rob, Brandon, Kristine, James and I ventured in to the icefall for out first taste of things to come. Here we got to grips with walking over crevasses over ladders in our crampons and trying to spot the potential hazards. You’ll all be pleased to hear that, according to the experts, the icefall is in comparatively good nick this year. The route seems to bypass most of the overhanging ice.
April 16th had to be one of the toughest days I’ve ever had getting from base camp through the Khumbu icefall to camp 1. I’d not had a great night’s sleep (which was down to nerves I think) and, by my own admission, I am not as fit as some of my team-mates. However, thanks to Rob’s encouragement I managed to dig deep enough to haul myself up the last few ladders and drag my sorry self in to camp 1 well behind the others. However I recovered quickly and coped well with the altitude, and after a reasonable night’s sleep at C1, I felt full of beans the next day and made it to camp 2 in very good time and with no problems. We stopped here for a while to make the most of the altitude gain before heading back down to base camp in a one-er in time for a late lunch on 17th.
Four days on and I am packed and ready for an early start tomorrow as we make our way up the hill for 2-3 nights at camp 2 and possibly a further night at camp 3. Unfortunately I’ve been troubled with an annoying cough since I got down from Camp 2 and this is almost certainly from the cold dry air. I seem t be on the mend. Nevertheless I’ve decided to go as light as possible tomorrow and just see how I go. We are well ahead of schedule in terms of when we are likely as a team to be ready for a summit push. If the next few days go well and we get to camp 3 in good shape, then theoretically we could be ready for a summit push any time after this. It is likely that we would need at least 5-7days rest at base camp before this though. We are all crossing our fingers for an early weather window, and planning which beach to go and lie on when all this is over!
It was lovely to speak to my big sister and Lydia and Charlie (xx) on the sat phone. Unfortunately I didn’t get to wish big brother Ali Happy Birthday on 18th but pleased to hear the sun was out in the UK and he was enjoying a birthday surf in Cornwall. Also yet to get hold of my Mum or Dad, no doubt due to their hectic social lives but thinking of you all lots.
I will do my best to beg, borrow or steal internet access again when I get back down in 3 days’ time.
Bye for now xxx
Go Fi Go. You can do it! Thinking of you. With sunny greetings from Namibia.
Hello darling. Delighted to read your latest blog today. So sorry we have missed each other on the sat phone, but Helen filled me in. We are thinking of you all the time and wishing you all the luck in the world. Lots of love, Mummy x
Hi fi. Good to speak to you. You only feel knackered cos you’ve got short legs! Miss you lots. Be careful and look after Rob. XXX
Good luck Fi. A mazing. So jealous. I know you’ll do it.
Hey Fi!! Go girl! I can feel your pain, I coughed my way up that mountain. It was the worst part of it and at the time it created huge doubt in my mind about making it! Dont let the cough get you down, its just one of those things you have to beat mentally! Can you ask Rob if he got the Ipod I couriered? Take care of yourself!!!!
Good luck with the final push Fi. Very impressed!
Hey Fi well done !! Hope the boots are holding out. Lots of luck for the summit push when it comes . Suz xx
Well done Fi - thinking of you from here; the kids are particularly impressed. And your aunt sends all her love too! Best of luck with the summit… and don’t listen to your brother about your little legs!
Hello Fiona
I came across an article about you in the London Metro and thought I would say Hi. Have been following your progress and hope all continues to go well.
Best Wishes, Terri, Imperial School
Fi, great to speak to you the other day - you could have been in the next room! Keep going. Love you lots. Can’t wait for you to come home and tell us all about it.
Hey Fi - We are totally blown away by your efforts, just don’t let your little self get blown off that giant of a mountain. Hang in there (and hang on) and we look forward to seeing you once you’ve had that well-earned rest on a beach. Tons of love XXX