Club Himex

Hopefully many of you have been checking in on others' blogs. There are some very sophisticated bloggers on this team, sending daily photos and videos, etc... I'm not so diligent - sorry for my obvious lack of photos. I'm lazy.

So if you've been reading the other blogs and seeing those photos, you know more about what is happening on this mountain than I do. You also know that we have a pretty nice camp here. We are not at Pumori. Instead we are a leisurely 20 minute walk up from the regular base camp, just off the trail. And it is pretty nice here at Club Himex with the white pod and blue cheese and crackers for the afternoon. I strolled up to the regular base camp yesterday and was thankful for our nice spacious camp. Despite what you've read, Everest is a place where one can catch up on sleep and read good books.

A couple of days ago I hiked up Kala Pattar with fellow climber, Jim. We both wanted to return to the place that launched our interests in mountain climbing. For me, it was 10 years ago and for Jim, 5. We took our time and completed the round trip in 5 hours. The views were clear and the weather beautiful, so I got lots of nice shots. Thank you, Big Jim for a wonderful day.

Today we practiced some ice climbing and rappelling. I didn't feel too good after coughing for hours last night and pulling the left muscle in my chest (or whatever that is that makes it hurt to cough and breathe hard). We were filmed and photographed. Some of the guys have been taking photos of the model release we had to sign for Billi - never signed a model release before! I haven't showered in a week, I'm feeling weak and I look like hell but I managed to smile for the camera. We actually had a fun time. Always nice when the sun is out and we're nice and warm.

Rather than acclimatize in the dreaded Icefall, we are climbing another mountain - Lobuche. We are going in groups and I am in the third group that consists of (1) the Japanese climbers and guides, (2) climbers who have been sick (me), and (3) climbers who joined us late. Group 3 includes our entire group of 6 women (3 Everest climbers, 1 Lhotse climber, filmer and doctor). So yesterday, Team Testosterone I left for Lobuche and today Team Testosterone II took off. Team Estrogen and the rest leave tomorrow. We will walk to our Lobuche base camp, climb to camp 1, climb to the summit and descend, and then walk back to Everest base camp the following day.

Then we will do it again but sleep on the 6,100 meter summit. The plan is to prepare for our first trip through the Icefall and ascent to Everest camp 2.

So that is the plan. I give myself a half hour to spill as much info as I can - this post is more like a twitter, all off the top of my head. Now I am going to return to the hot whiskey I was given as I walked into the computer room.

I'll send another post when I return from Lobuche. Also, I may not respond to comments but I do read them and I do appreciate them!

Cheers.