Back to BC

After acclimatizing, we head down to recover.

7 May - "Gutted" Phil update

Phil was on the North Col climb but at Interim Camp had to abort because of bad shin splints - so we thought. BUT...

"Well I finally got back to the UK after having to spend a week in Kathmandu.... the insurance firm would not repatriate me early as I didn't need an operation on my leg!!!!

I got it confirmed today that its was not shin splints as I first thought, [instead] Ivy the doctor was right almost in her diagnosis - its a double stress fracture to my left tibia!!!! I'd be grateful if you can pass this information onto J & Kirsti for me & also say thanks again for looking after me on the climb to interim camp etc....

I'm really pleased to hear that the team is doing so well so far! Got jealous to say the least when i saw all the pics of The North Col as this was to be my personal summit!!!!"

We did think of you Phil, and glad the mornings are rosy again.

J and K remember that he turned and more or less fell on a rock about an hour out of Interim Camp. While this was terrible, at least this means that it wasn't shin splints and so it won't stop him trekking forever.

GET WELL SOON! - from the team

7 May down to BC

The team minus Jamie had some adventures an hour or so down from ABC where s small river in the ice had flooded.

Gavin's Contact 3 system is passed around - photo by Kirsti

8 May - cleaning up

BC is heaven - comparatively, anyway. It is far easier to breathe and our oxygen saturation is up to the high 80's (%)which is good for around here, even if in a hospital they would be shocked and have us on bottled oxygen.

Most of the boys had a shave...

Note Gavin's hairstyle - photo by Kirsti

Squeaky clean and even the hair has been tamed - for now - photo by Kirsti

Our plans

9 May

We are waiting in holding pattern and have not yet made plans beyond Jamie going out for dinner tonight.

Pre-shaved Gavin has been sending out regular dispatches - here from a small keyboard and PDA and the sat phone in the foreground - that is his small system. Jamie uses a rather heavier full laptop and broadband satellite connection. Photo by Kirsti.

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