BLOG: Kay Mitchell 16th Apr 2007
Radio Traffic
It is Monday, April 16th, and Trek A has left Everest Base Camp fro Dingboche, having completed almost all of their testing. The Caudwell Xtreme Everest team gave them a small send off last night, and thanked them for all their hard work and commitment to the testing.
Trek B are walking from Lobuje to Gorek Shep today, and we expect them at Everest Base Camp tomorrow. The Climbing team have gone up the ice fall and most of the lab staff have climbed to Pumori Camp One as today is essentially a day off. I am in camp monitoring the radios and trying to catch up with a few jobs.
The climbing team have gone up the icefall to the first of the long crevasse ladders to practice their crampon techniques and ladder crossing. The IMAX and BBC film crews have gone with them and have been using head cams to capture them in action. The headcams feed back to base camp and it is amazing to be able to see the climbers in action. It is also reassuring, as I worry about them every time they go up the hill, even though I know they are experienced, risk averse and sensible.
The two way radios that we use are very important for safety, and this requires someone at base camp to be always monitoring the radio traffic. Today, I am carrying out this function, and it is very busy. We have 18 climbers on the icefall and 9 lab staff approaching Pumori, which makes for a lot of radio traffic.
Despite all of this, I have managed to do some washing finally, the first since Pheriche. Tomorrow, I am hoping to have a shower and wash my hair, before Trek B arrive. It is amazing how quickly you get used to doing without a shower every morning. I still miss it though.
| By: Russ Inman | When: 23rd Apr 2007 13:31 | Hi Kay,
Sounds like all's going really well. Reading the reports really makes me want to be back in the Khumbu - wish I was there right now! Please can you say 'Hi' to my good friend Tom Parkin from Jagged Globe who is leading two of treking groups. I last heard from him as he left Namche a few days ago so he should be up at EBC pretty soon. Thanks. Best wishes, Russ |
| By: Steve | When: 20th Apr 2007 15:01 | Hi there!! We thought we would say Hi, and wish you all the very best...be interested to get feedback on the kit and how you are all coping?? And judging by the groups who are still franticly dashing around getting the last minute kit Steve, cotswolds piccadilly London |
| By: Richard & Jean Barber | When: 19th Apr 2007 20:39 | Hi Roz,
Its summer here and we are basking in 20 degrees !! Hope you are coping with your arduous holday and enjoying the scenery. thinking about you as we sip our wine. R & J |
| By: Lamont Ross | When: 18th Apr 2007 15:36 | Hi Kay, I will appreciate my daily showers after reading your posting. Ryan says he is really looking forward to a burrito/mexican food. Continued safe expedition especially to the climbers "tackling" the crevasses. Lamont |
| By: Pauline Taylor | When: 17th Apr 2007 20:16 | If anyone sees Keith and Kieran Taylor in group B can they pass on this message please-
Have sold the house, spent the money and ran off with the milkman but apart from that nothing exciting to report. Hope you're having a great time and looking forward to the guitar sing a long that seems to be promised for all at Base Camp. Pity help the others when they hear you or maybe the altitude enhances the sound? |
| By: Bill Sillery | When: 17th Apr 2007 16:07 | Hello Kay,
Less than three weeks 'til I set out to join you. Reading the blogs makes the whole thing feel a lot more real. What's the weather like up there? I read snow! Bill |
| By: David Cobb | When: 17th Apr 2007 13:59 | Blogs are excellent! Can't wait for the "J'ers" to get going in May! Cheers, David |
| By: Evelyn Gardner | When: 17th Apr 2007 10:56 | Hello to Keith and Keiran Taylor who are in Trek B. Everyone at C&D hope you are having a brilliant time. Don't forget the photographs.
See you soon |
| By: Kate Stephens | When: 17th Apr 2007 08:04 | Hello to members of Trek B who are due to arrive at base camp today, especially Anthea (my mum), Valerie and Geoff. I miss you mum! Hope you are all well and having an amazing trip xxx |
| By: Kate Stephens | When: 17th Apr 2007 07:56 | Hello to members of Trek B who are due to arrive at base camp today, especially Anthea (my mum), Valerie and Geoff. I miss you mum! Hope you are all well and having an amazing trip xxx |
| By: Liz Bradbury (wife of H team member) | When: 17th Apr 2007 00:41 | What a great website. Thanks to you Kay for all the details you give to us about this exciting expedition. Hope you get your shower! Dave is looking forward to next week and the start of his trek. Good luck to everyone involved. |
| By: Claire Bevan | When: 16th Apr 2007 17:59 | Hi Kay
Great to read your blog and to see a picture of you at EBC. Glad its all going well,please say Hi to Rhys from everyone at home,I'm not sure who gets to look at the messages your end. Good luck to all the climbing team. Claire Bevan |
| By: Beryl Mitchell & rest of family | When: 16th Apr 2007 16:46 | Pleased you're looking so well. Congratulations to everyone. Best wishes to the summiteers. Hard to believe we'll have Trek A home within a week. Mum |
| By: DM Bailey | When: 16th Apr 2007 15:27 | Best of luck to everyone; hope all is well. Currently in San Diego working 20h days in Peter Wagner's lab... |
XE Blogs:
Other blogs by Kay Mitchell:
23/12/09
Getting ready for the Christmas Break!
26/11/09
Talking it up
23/05/09
Everest Summit Anniversary
20/05/09
Summit Success
14/05/09
Oh what a beautiful morning!
12/05/09
The more it snows!
07/05/09
Taking the piss!
17/04/09
Trek A9 are well on the way
More blogs by Kay Mitchell>