The Trek to ABC
29th April Unlike the first time up to ABC we are not stopping the night half way. The trek is 15miles and takes us from 5200m to 6400m. The terrain is up and down and very rocky. It would be a good hike at sea level and with the altitude it really slows you peolpe down. Heather and Don are stopping at intermediate camp as is Mat, who has returned to the group after getting the all clear from the doctors in Katmamndu. It was a long hard slog but the time said it all as it took us 7 1/2 hours compared to the 10 hours it took us over 2 days previous. The scenary is stunning, the problem is you spend that much time gasping breath you really don`t feel like stopping as smiling for the camera. As we pulled up the final mile or so, Everest comes into view, the North ridge ramping up infront of you. You begin to walk through the tented villages the different teams have constructed. There will be sherpas returning from load carries up high on the mountain vchatting away as if they`ve just ran round the park. The smell of food seeps from the cook tent, making you feel nauseas, even though you`ve probably expended 5 times the calories you have eaten that day. I am noticably thinner than when I started. Even though knew this would happen you know you can`t go on like this. The food is very average and at altitude even your favourite would be hard to stomach. Up at ABC eveything is that bit harder. Your sleep is disturbed, eating a little harder and it`s that bit colder. It will be interesting to see how I fair staying up on the North col at 7100m. The plan is to have a rest day tommorow then load our rucksacs with all the high alltitude gear and lug it up the head wall. If the weather is good we will walk upto 7500m before comning down as sleeping a second night at 7100m, on the North col. All tents are in place with the stoves and cooking gear are inside. We are now on boil in the bag food, which I am quite looking forward to. Atleast it`s Western flavours that hopefully will be a little easier to swallow.

Rest Day ABC
30th April Today is a "rest as best you can day". What I mean by that is, at this height you are really not recovering, more like surviving. The sleep was a little better , and I am generally more comfortable than the first visit but still want to get on with our trip higher.