Base Camp recovery

We lose Chilli and Gord loses hair

An advance team is pushing for Camp 3

3 July - Base Camp 4825m

"I woke up in a pool of my own drool", an anonymous female member of our team after 16 hours sleep, Mike also woke to a wet pillow but assures us he doesn't dribble at home, we are going to check with his wife.

Jamie has a "bucket of snot" and another anonymous member with initials GF can't admit on a public site his problems. High altitude phenomenons. That is the ups, here are the downs.

Amanda is wearing her black jacket because Marlon Brando died - yes, we have all the latest news here.

Chilli heads down

2 July, Chilli about to begin the climb to Camp Half,
but a few minutes after this photo he had another episode of sickness
and had to turn back.

Chilli left today with our Liaison officer, Major Imran, to head down to Concordia and hopefully a helicopter early the next morning to Skardu. With his connections and dedication to the success of the expedition the Major will be a great help to him.

Curious? Chilli seems to have an on and off middle or inner ear infection or problem, and this affects his balance and also occasionally severely weakens him. A doctor checked him over thoroughly as did Jamie, both to the same conclusion, and Chilli agreed, he really couldn't climb safely. We are all sad as Chilli was an amusing and valued member of the team.

The evening was surprisingly fine with a sharp air.

4 July - the hungry BC

Denis left early heading for C3 but got as far as C2 in the snowfall and higher up, some wind. He has returned to French C1 joining Haruki and Karim for the night.

Malte and Taqui, after a night at C2 returned to BC mid-morning thru soft snow.

"Just beat me, I can take it."
Malte, on his new understanding of being the whipping boy.

As we finished the last bowl of sugar for the hundredth time we pondered our last meal, surprisingly edible Macaroni and that dal - we have had dal with every lunch and dinner. According to our kitchen crew we have been out of food and kero for days, but their daily morning scrounge has been successful so far (noodles! Gluggy noodles, concrete pasta, glob, or "Knauf" (an in-Austrian joke).

A sirdar on the trail has assured us that food and fuel will arrive today. We have heard that before. The Pakistan company, Adventure Tours Pakistan (ATP) is a good operator, apparently, but this year has suffered supply chain problems.

Gordon's cure all

Gordon reckons he is getting a chest infection so last night took his special patented cure all: diamox, T3 (Tylenol), Vitamin C, and the secret ingredients, 2 fingers of Vodka, and tiger balm placed in the most painful of places (as a male). Don't try this at home!

He can still talk, if in a squeaky voice.

Send Island Passion cream!

Disaster has struck Amanda; she has run out of "Island Passion cream", which she assures us is for the feet?! And it even comes from Victoria's Secret and smells nice.

Gord gets bored

We save the best 'til last:

half an hour later:

Dyane: Gord swears it will grow back in a month

comments to broadpeak @ project-himalaya.com (and take out the spaces)

Denis is next, if he comes off the mountain (but don't tell him) and
the professor has agreed to a similar treatment if he gets up two 8000m peaks
in this expedition.