Today we had a rude awakening: at about 6 am there was a loud roar from across the valley as one of the slopes avalanched. This event was several miles away and there was of course no danger at all to ABC but it was an interesting way to be awoken.
After breakfast we made an early start up the glaciated valley towards Camp 1. This was only an acclimatisation walk to get us used to walking at over 5,600m so we were only carrying essentials such as full waterproofs (known as hard-shell), plenty of water and snacks, sun protection and sunglasses. In the event the hard-shell wasn't needed and our walk was conducted in glorious hot sunshine. We were out for about 4 1/2 hours, taking 2 1/2 hours to get to our target of 50% of the way to Camp 1, after which we rested for around 30 mins and then returned to ABC.
The views and scenery could not be described as picturesque - ruggedly dramatic would be nearer the mark. We were walking on a moraine of the Gyrabrag glacier, formed by the action of the glacier and essentially a long ridge of rocks. The rocks vary in size from gravel to blocks the size of a bus, and all in between. They have one thing in common - they are rarely stable, so when walking these you are always alert to the fact that they may move. This made some sections of the walk quite tricky, although to be fair most of the footing on the rough track that wends it way along the moraine is fairly steady. Apart from being beckoned onward by Cho Oyu which was fully in our face on the outward journey, the most remarkable aspect of the walk were the penitentes. These are beautiful but highly unstable ice structures which sit atop the central part of the glacier which we followed. They range in size from a few metres high to several tens of metres high and typically have the shape
of a shark fin. They can stand singly or in groups and together create an impression of royal icing on a Christmas cake, or perhaps whisked egg whites. The overall colour is of course white but as these are ice structures there are occasional tinges of blue and green and, naturally in the presence of the Turquoise Goddess herself, turquoise.
All in all a great first foray on the mountain and we continue to be in fine form. However the best was saved untill last. Upon returning to ABC not only had our amazing team of Sherpa cooks prepared a lunch of veggie burgers, salami, proscuitto, smoked ham and apple pie, but the shower had been set up too.
Does it get better than this? Well maybe not - but it will certainly get higher and that is why we are here.
After breakfast we made an early start up the glaciated valley towards Camp 1. This was only an acclimatisation walk to get us used to walking at over 5,600m so we were only carrying essentials such as full waterproofs (known as hard-shell), plenty of water and snacks, sun protection and sunglasses. In the event the hard-shell wasn't needed and our walk was conducted in glorious hot sunshine. We were out for about 4 1/2 hours, taking 2 1/2 hours to get to our target of 50% of the way to Camp 1, after which we rested for around 30 mins and then returned to ABC.
The views and scenery could not be described as picturesque - ruggedly dramatic would be nearer the mark. We were walking on a moraine of the Gyrabrag glacier, formed by the action of the glacier and essentially a long ridge of rocks. The rocks vary in size from gravel to blocks the size of a bus, and all in between. They have one thing in common - they are rarely stable, so when walking these you are always alert to the fact that they may move. This made some sections of the walk quite tricky, although to be fair most of the footing on the rough track that wends it way along the moraine is fairly steady. Apart from being beckoned onward by Cho Oyu which was fully in our face on the outward journey, the most remarkable aspect of the walk were the penitentes. These are beautiful but highly unstable ice structures which sit atop the central part of the glacier which we followed. They range in size from a few metres high to several tens of metres high and typically have the shape
of a shark fin. They can stand singly or in groups and together create an impression of royal icing on a Christmas cake, or perhaps whisked egg whites. The overall colour is of course white but as these are ice structures there are occasional tinges of blue and green and, naturally in the presence of the Turquoise Goddess herself, turquoise.
All in all a great first foray on the mountain and we continue to be in fine form. However the best was saved untill last. Upon returning to ABC not only had our amazing team of Sherpa cooks prepared a lunch of veggie burgers, salami, proscuitto, smoked ham and apple pie, but the shower had been set up too.
Does it get better than this? Well maybe not - but it will certainly get higher and that is why we are here.