We eagerly(?) woke up extra early this morning for our beautiful view of Everest. Only the weather did not play ball. We walked around in the bitter cold from around 5:30am until after 7. No spectacular view, and late for starting walking we pushed on to catch up the Aussie and US couples before bumping into welsh boys Gareth and Simon for a spot of tea in Pangboche. If you think the names are confusing you should try writing about them a week later without a map!
We then hammered on to Shomare where we met team Aus/US, taking their seats and our lunch in the glorious sunshine (where were you this morning?!). Later we got charged by a yak - though I didn't know much about it - and got stuck behind porters and some people who split up our group trying to get past. For a westcountry equivalent, think of the idiot BMW driver overtaking a line of traffic then sitting behind the tractor in front.
Our room in Dingboche had two wires sticking out of the ceiling and no light fitting (this was a sign of things to come). Team GB/Aus/US were joined by team Kiwi in the guise of Tom and Sonia. The food wasn't great and the main room was like an incinerator as the window seats became invaluable and the rest unbearable!
This was when I got a proper headache that set in and would never really go away. A quick trip to the local stupa up a small hill brought the effects of altitude home with a worrying bump...
On our second day, Gez kicked off by washing some of his mind-blowingly stinky trekking socks in a bowl of hot water. I thought I'd take advantage of his domestic mood and threw in my base layer t-shirt and thin socks after about 5 days use.
After breakfast and a quick nosebleed we set off to climb the nearest 5083m peak that loomed over Dingboche. We were last to set out but soon passed Amy and Tiana who turned back early. Next we met Nick and Warren and had a brief photoshoot session, mostly involving Warren and me. Gez powered on and I joined him while the other non-conquering non-Brits gave up. Gez was really starting to feel nervous and scared of the heights we were reaching - a problem I hadn't anticipated. But he inched his way to the top as I puffed on slightly ahead giving (hopefully) calming tips and encouragement. I thought he did brilliantly to overcome his fears and reach the summit, while Sonam bounced around the rocks and I got used to the sheer drop on one side!
The polish couple, Samek and Magdalena, appeared as well. We took some celebratory photos and fairly swiftly descended to chill out in the afternoon. My shirt and sock has dried and smelt... f-ing terrible. I hope Gez's socks are cleaner for my troubles. Seriously, no amount of writing can truly explain the evil stench that is Gez's used socks.
I also recently discovered the use of ear plugs which earned me my first unbroken night's sleep a couple of nights back. Heaven!