Our Virtual Everest Trek Day 16

On the Way to Camp 2

Brigantes Everest Expedition Day 16

Today dawned fine and bright. We couldn’t believe it when we stuck our heads out of the tent door and saw blue sky, sunshine and lots and lots of fresh snow. To Dowting’s disgust we even threw a few snowballs. We had to melt some snow for breakfast and to take with us to drink. The wind had dropped and after a couple of days doing very little we all felt quite chirpy. The sight of the Western Cwm sobered us up. We had to climb through the Cwm to get to Camp 2.

The Cwm is a U-shaped valley, often called the Valley of Silence, which has been carved by the Khumbu Glacier. The views are amazing, with Everest away to the north, Lhotse straight ahead and Nuptse on the right to the south. After the scares of the Icefield it seemed quiet and almost serene but Dowting was onto us like a shot if he thought we were talking too much or not taking it seriously enough. This is one of the problems with the Cwm. It seems straightforward but there are still dangers. There are yet more crevasses and some had been hidden by yesterday’s snow. If you blunder onto a snow bridge which collapses – you’re gone! The Sherpas led us very carefully. And as sun got higher it became so hot. At times we were even shedding layers which seemed ridiculous at this height. Because the temperatures get so high there’s always a danger from avalanches. We saw – and heard – a couple of small ones – but we weren’t in danger. They were too far away.

Camp 2 is in a pretty spectacular place, at the end of the Western Cwm and at the base of the Lhotse Face. It’s a beautiful place but it’s littered with abandoned gear from previous expeditions which couldn’t be bothered to carry it back down. You don’t expect litter at over 20,000ft. Apparently some people pick through it to see if there’s anything worth taking. Dowting warned us not to touch anything and then gave us the glad tidings that this would be where we’d enjoy our last hot meal. For the rest of the trip it’ll be instant prepared food that weighs very little. Doesn’t sound very tasty to me.

Dowting chose the tent sites with great care because of the avalanche danger. Not quite what you want to ensure a sound night’s sleep.

Luke N Brightside

Communications Officer

At last they know what they’re in for. I don’t think they quite realised you can’t get meat and two veg above 20,000ft. Just because the walking was a bit easier they began to get silly on the Cwm – singing daft songs and suchlike. I stopped them and asked which one was volunteering to be first down a crevasse. That shut them up. They were very quiet when I told them about the hot food. It’s a miracle they’ve got this far. In my wilder moments I do even think we might make it to the top. But then again . . . .

Sherpa Dowting

Head Porter