1. I got up at 6am for my first compulsory med check. The good lady doctor took my pressure (stay off salt please!), was pleased with my O2 levels (95% at 3,400 m isn't bad) and signed off.
2. Instantly after getting up I regretted my decision to leave my hat and gloves in the mule bags. Chilllllllyyy mornings!!!!!
3. Cooked the first of my breakfasts which you may remember from the "drug traffic" photograph earlier on. Yummy!
4. Was a little hesitant whether to continue straight to base camp (plaza de Mulas) but ambition prevailed (park rangers suggested one more day of acclimatization hikes). It was 950 m elevation difference and 15.5 km. A loooong day ahead!
5. Met a young Argentine dude called Elias, a porter, who just happened to be going there so we went together. He and his cute coworker Coti also gave me some sweets to keep me through the day. I had my travel lunch packed but snacks are always good.
6. The day was long and alternately scorching hot and bone-freezing cold (fierce wind). For half the way we walked in an exposed dry river bed and it felt like in a wind tunnel. Sun was also relentless so my calves and forearms suffered despite factor 30 sunscreen.
7. Elias looked out of shape and had a big backpack but was acclimatized and strong so was usually ahead. This motivated me (like you don't know me... Hehe).
8. We made it in 8 hours (ranger had said 11-12) and I was proud. It ended, however, in a monster headache (sun, effort, altitude..).
9. Picked up my nagar. Then another joyful hour spent on trying to pitch my new Hilleberg tent. Beautiful Swedish design. But unorthodox. Light, resistant, complicated. First-time user. No manual. Do the math. Now it stands. It's not pretty but survived the windy night.
9. Treated myself to a nice dinner at US$30 (it was delicious) and was tempted to take a hot shower (yes, world's second largest base camp, they got it all and more!) but too tired.