Our Virtual Everest Trek Day Seventeen

This is magic – the view from Camp 2

Brigantes Everest Expedition Day 17

Well, here we are, with a day to ourselves, getting used to the new altitude (almost 21,000 feet!) before trying to get up a very steep wall of ice. The Lhotse Face must be the most intimidating obstacle we face. If, somehow, we can haul our old carcasses up that (and I’m sure with our porter’s wonderful help we can) then we’ll be home and dry (almost). 

Because of the difficulties ahead Dowting has led us on a short trial climb of the first part of the Face – it helped to get used to the co-ordination of pick and crampon on the slope and it gave us confidence in the security of the already-fixed ropes after a few slips, dangles, and hauls to safety.  But we still had time to enjoy the view, relax and wonder at the impossibility of us “aged trekkers” being here at all! What an amazing place. Never mind the shortness of breath we have to contend with. This is magic! 

Luke N Brightside

Communications Officer

They really had a wake-up call on our trial ice face climb. They couldn’t get used to digging their crampons in and often slipped and were left dangling by the ropes. The porters pulled them top safety each time but it was exhausting. How we’re going to pull them up the Lhotse Face I just don’t know. And unfortunately nothing seems to deter them – there’s still no talk of “acting our age”, “being sensible” or accepting our limitations”. They all still want to go on!   

Sherpa Dowting

Head Porter