Saturday 15 November 2008

Britain beats Finland on Island Peak (6,189m)

 

Back in Dingboche, it's a day of laundry and showers after our Island Peak expedition.

 

The UK firmly planted the flag in the summit ice (6,189m) at 0930 hrs on the 14th November.  It was a clear day with freezing winds.  It was the cold weather that forced Finland to retreat after reaching 5,740m.

 

The walking in the Khumbu (Everest) area has been sensational so far.  We've really enjoyed being amongst the high Himalayan mountains.  The other day, we climbed the 'little' peak of Chukhung Ri (5,550m) which is next to Lhotse and Nuptse.  The views were stunning.

 

As part of the course we learnt how to jumar.  We also did a bit of ice climbing on the glacier below Ama Dablam (or 'Ama' as it is known locally).  What a spot!

 

Tomorrow we continue towards Everest Base Camp and should climb Kala Patthar the day after.  We'll then try to cross the Cho La pass (5,300m) over to Gokyo valley.  The views of Everest are said to be phenomenal from there.

 

Photos on our return to Kathmandu.

 

 

 

Sunday 9 November 2008

Island Peak News

We walked away from our landing at Lukla and spent three days walking to Dingboche (4,400m).  We're now busy acclimatising which means sitting around drinking endless cups of tea, chatting with some guys from Ireland and making armchair ascents of Ama Dablam. 

Tomorrow we head for Chukhung (4,700m) and join our Island Peak course.