More from ABC

Julian returns to ABC, as does Sukhi. Moe heads down

We also meet one of our ABC trekking groups and Paul's team for Lhakpa Ri

27 April - Julian arrives ABC

Up in 6.5 hours (including rests) from BC to ABC; Julian is in fine form. He was incredibly lucky, en route to BC many days ago he met a Swiss dentist from Kari Kobler's team on the trail and he confirmed it was a infection of the wisdom tooth socket and surrounding gum rather than abscess under the wisdom tooth. In other words, a problem that could be solved with antibiotics and brushing, and not surgery. So three days of luxury and even an accidental Chinese banquet; now he is back in ABC wondering where his appetite has gone.

Julian's tooth is now 100% better and he is looking forward to getting on the mountain.

28 April - Sukhi returns

Sukhi (and Da'Oangchu) slept two nights at over 7000m and felt very good at the North Col. Yesterday she climbed to 7400m in quite strong winds, but without problems. Today she returned to ABC for a big lunch, with a big smile on her face. She says "Sat Siri Akal" to everyone! And don't worry!

28 April - Moe can smell the comforts of BC

After talking with many people the universal opinion was if feeling ordinary at ABC (6400m), head down to BC (5200m) for some R&R, and come back up some days later, and everything seems better. So Moe headed down with Dorje (Tibetan kitchen hand) this morning and by now is probably having a soup without garlic and ginger added (which the Sherpas swears helps with the altitude). Moe will probably stay at Base Camp (5200m) for 3-4 days.

Jamie had an interesting day; I headed down with Moe for the first part of the walk and met one of our ABC trekking groups, Elizabet and Albert from Spain, very happy with everything and enjoying the historical side of the treks "expedition" and the ice fins less than a stone's throw from their camp. They will be our guests in ABC tomorrow.

Returning in what some people might call a snow storm, I passed an Indian climber, he asked if I knew the way to ABC. I said I did and cruised past him. As the snow fell more thickly I guessed he might not appreciate my literal interpretation, for he was breathing so hard that he didn't have the chance to say anything more. So after spending 5 minutes at the puja for Paul's Lhakpa Ri expedition (and yes, everyone was shivering as the snow built up on them), I returned down the trail to find him lost. We trekked slowly  up to Paul's camp where the kitchen staff kindly filled him with sweet tea.

It was somewhat surreal wandering around in the swirling snow with my iPod Shuffle pumping out music, sharks fins of ice on both side of the trail, yaks completely covered in snow except for their noses, ice in my beard, then coming up to the puja where Dawa was officiating. Testing his "all weathers are good for a puja" to the limit.

Apologies, I didn't take a camera.

Paul and Namgyal are going to join us for Everest after they have climbed Lhakpa Ri with their team of around 16 trekkers.

29 April - ?

Dawa, myself, Temba and Julian will probably drop some loads at North Col tomorrow; Sukhi gets a well-deserved rest in ABC.