BLOG: Kay Mitchell 5th May 2007
Cravings, Trek F and Trek G!
Trek F have reached Everest Base Camp (see John Caudwell?s blog), and left. We now have Trek G in, and we are half way through the trek testing at base camp! I cannot believe it. Time is flying by. Wynne wants to send his love to Barbara!
The weather has turned to snow from brilliant sunshine this afternoon. So we are listening to dance music on my IPOD. Liesl and Jildou are in my office helping me out with various jobs. It is quite cosy. Most of the climbing team have left for Dingboche which is lower down the Khumbu valley. They have gone to fatten up before they have to make a summit attempt. Mike, Denny, Chris and Sundeep will go down and join them tomorrow.
MacGillivray Freeman have sent additional members to help with their movie. They arrived at the same time as Trek F. They have brought Aracelli Segarra and Jamling Norgay, stars of the original Everest IMAX movie. So, even though the climbers are not here, our numbers are not depleted.
I have a real craving today for something, but I cannot think what it might be. The girls are suggesting pesto, buffalo mozzarella, pomodori, or just going to a good Tapas restaurant. Or snails in garlic butter? I have not had snails for ages. How about crisp white wine, wearing a top, skirt and flip flops with painted toenails? This is doing us no good. None of these things are achievable for at least 6 weeks. We will just have to remember that we are having a phenomenal experience here. The cravings will just have to wait. I have even run out of twiglets!
| By: Liz Bradbury | When: 13th May 2007 22:35 | Hi Kay, still following your amazing website; where have you been lately as I have missed your interesting news - hope you are well. It is so disappointing not to see a photo of Group H and news of them other than that the 8th group had arrived at EBC. Was there a photo of them at EBC ?I am hoping my husband Dave Bradbury got there safely and was well. I gather his group is now down at Namche. All good wishes for the rest of the expedition. Everyone take care. Liz Bradbury. |
| By: ruth | When: 13th May 2007 21:22 | Hi Kay Sorry about the cravings - maybe it's for Mum's apple pie and custard. We'll have to get some when you get back. Hope everything goes well for the rest of the trekkers and for the summit attempt. My thoughts are with you and all the team. Lots of love from Ruth, Graham and kids. |
| By: mick and jenny powell | When: 13th May 2007 11:09 | Finally home, after a semi emotional farewell at the Terminal 3 baggage hall! Sadly missed Les Mike Adam and Phil (in no special order) seperated by a building at Doha. Think we are the first home?
Anyway, we loved it all and think that Group G are the 'Greats and Giants' etc. Still coughing, but HAFS at bay. Looking forward to the the union. M and J |
| By: Tina Mackenney | When: 13th May 2007 08:12 | Hi Kay! I have been searching for news of Treks H, I, J & K. It would be really nice to hear how they are all getting on - in particular Trek K and Lisa Comber. If possible, please send her my love and best wishes. I know that she arrived at the Summit Hotel last Sunday. And - no blogs from you or Mac for several days!? I hope you're all well at EBC. Very best wishes, Tina |
| By: Richard and Rinske Kolfschoten | When: 12th May 2007 21:51 | Hi Kay, bad luck we couldn't meet you at EBC on 3th May, are safe back in The Hague now, allmost being CO-ed in Gompa lodge, room nr 1- no window - in Tengboche. Love to our Nikki, and greatings to everyone at EBC , especially to Jildou, and to Paul, Amber and Jim at Pheriche. RiRi |
| By: Simon | When: 12th May 2007 07:45 | Hi Guys,
Keep up the good work. Any news/pics of Trek I?? I was hoping to see my Dad at EBC. Thank you! |
| By: Kate Mythen | When: 10th May 2007 23:56 | Dear Kay and team.
Hope all's well Kay and that the summit team are now nicely 'fattened up' and ready to go. It is an incredible challenge. I am totally in awe. We wish you all the very best of luck. We will be thinking of you all every day and are really looking forward to seeing you all back safely. Everyone here is following your progress avidly. Hope the weather gets good - it's wet and cold here in London today. The trek teams seem to have done really well. You must be pleased. They are a special group of people. All the blogs are really good (your's, John Caudwell's, the film crew's, everyone's) - alot of us read them all - it's great to know how you're all getting on and how the study is going. Keep them coming! By the way, don't worry about the cravings - your stomach is so shrunk when you get home you don't feel like eating much anyway! Not long to go now - can't believe you'll all be packing up next month. Must make sure I have some egg fried rice waiting for Monty. All the very best, Kate and the kids |
| By: Sally & Simon | When: 9th May 2007 20:41 | Dear Les(Smith) Well done on the achievement of a life's dream. Pleased to hear that you succeeded. |
| By: Isabelle Nicole | When: 9th May 2007 19:13 | Hallo Grandad, (here's another test for your brain in the mountains). Hast du Wackelpuddingbeine? Belli-boo und Niki-pip. Mama says: "She hopes you are still going strong" Viel Gl?ck |
| By: Amanda Seymour | When: 9th May 2007 10:08 | Wish I was there with you Stu (and team G). I really miss you. |
| By: David & Yvonne Smyth | When: 9th May 2007 01:32 | Hi Les, News of your success greeted with roars of applause at the Gardening Club meeting. Well done. Come back safely and bring us a Yak ! See you soon D & Y |
| By: Neil | When: 8th May 2007 22:44 | Yo Ian and Ann, Congratulations from California. Er, like,breathe from the stomach, I guess. N |
| By: Ian Gomez | When: 8th May 2007 21:54 | Joy Stephenson, I am somehow hoping you get this message...as I have forgotten which group you were in...typical me!!! Nonetheless, I admire your resolve and I thought climbling the Black Mountains in Wales was tough. All the best and "you go girl!!"
Ian and Jogy |
| By: Tina Mackenney | When: 8th May 2007 21:33 | I'm really pleased to have news of "my lad" & the Logistics Team...Anything to do with you Kay? If so, thanks a lot! Tina |
| By: Rachel Aveling | When: 8th May 2007 14:35 | Hi Grandpa! Well done for reaching your target it must have been fantastic. Just wanted to let you know that I have mastered walking now too, but have only made it from the coffee table to the kitchen! Lots of love Thomas x and Rachel and Mike x |
| By: Alan | When: 8th May 2007 12:48 | Hi Ian and Ann! Great to see your your faces in the Trek G arrival photo and to see that you can still grin. Well done folks! |
| By: Michele | When: 8th May 2007 12:30 | Hi John, it would great to see you on the BBC last week looking so good and fresh faced, however, I think you should ditch the moustache before you return! I never thought I would say this, but it has been so long that I am actually starting to miss you, well, slightly anyway! .................... You need to hurry back safely and start cracking that big whip again! Say hello to Brian for me and a hugh good luck to both of you for a safe climb on Lobuje. But, please make sure you are fully recovered from your chest infection first! Michele xx |
| By: emma mcg | When: 7th May 2007 23:09 | Hello and congrats to everyone, commiserations to Barbara - hope she has recovered! Hugs to Burky. Massive love, hugs and miss you loads to Michael B. Can't wait to see you for real but big treat to see your face x Enjoy explorer-boy x em |
| By: Carol and John Warren | When: 7th May 2007 18:21 | Fantastic achievement Les. Knew you would do it. Hope the feet are not too sore! Enjoy the rest of your trip. |
| By: Marshall and Jane | When: 7th May 2007 17:36 | Congratulations to you all especially the old man Les Smith!!!!!!
Have a safe journey down and then home Love Jane and Marshall |
| By: steve | When: 7th May 2007 13:57 | Those cravings eh?? well i'm sure we have something here we can send to end those pangs of culinary cravings....how about, all day breakfast,or chicken dopiaza?? or a nice suprise pasta dish with added bite!!
let us know Steve |
| By: Jean & Keith Reaveley | When: 7th May 2007 12:36 | Well done to Les Smith. We look forward to seeing your photos - Jean & Keith |
| By: Peter Beckwith | When: 7th May 2007 11:55 | Well done Michael & Adam. Been keeping an eye on the web site - looking for a glimpse of you both. If I hadn't known which group you were in I might have missed you! Hope Adam took lots of pictures with his new camera. See you soon. Love P&P |
| By: Philippa Rumsey | When: 7th May 2007 11:28 | Hi Dad, what wonderful news! we all knew you would achieve your dream. We are all very proud of you, everyone at home has been following your progress with interest, I think you may have rather alot of people to share your story with on your return. Have a safe trip home. Lots of love. The Rumseys xxx |
| By: Beverley Isabelle Nicole | When: 7th May 2007 09:18 | Well done and congratulations to everyone on reaching Everest Base Camp especially Les Smith (Dad). A big ,Hello, from Leverkusen, Germany. The girls and I and Dierk in Shanghai have been following the expedition via internet. Sorry we missed your birthday. Hope you enjoy the trip down and hope to see you in summer. |
| By: Barbara Cruickshank | When: 7th May 2007 09:09 | With my son being one of your willing 'guinea pigs" i have been following your trek with xtreme interest - from sunny South Africa. I am amazed at all that this great big team is doing and dumb-founded at all the planning & preparation that has had to take place to get this project off the ground. Well done, you! I'd love to be able to send some fruit & biltong, not to mention a nice bottle of wine to toast your achievements - make a change from yak stew! God bless. |
| By: Andrew & Kristy | When: 7th May 2007 04:26 | Hi Dad. Fantastic, what an achievement, hope you are doing well. Look forward to all the stories on your return. We wish you a safe and interesting return journey. Andrew & Kristy |
| By: keith cullen | When: 7th May 2007 01:28 | I have always dreamed of climbing everest but because of lifes ups and downs I never made it. I climb it every year by following folks like you. Good luck and God's speed. Please raise a cup of chung for me. Hope to hear from you soon!! |
| By: Roger Cordery | When: 6th May 2007 23:35 | Well done Wynne, Ann and Ian!! How is everyone up there? Hope you are all well. Came back to work with a bump on Monday last week.Love to all the Xtreme Team and the climbers who know me! Rog |
| By: Den & Marg Carlow | When: 6th May 2007 19:05 | Many congratulations Les and hope to see you soon. |
| By: Samantha Brain | When: 6th May 2007 18:30 | WELL DONE GRANDAD!!!!!! I knew you would do it...what a fantastic acheivement, i am so envious of you. I hope that one day i will be able to acheive something as great as this! The photos look amazing, remember to cherish those last few days you have there (i know you will do anyway). Can't wait to see you again, have a safe journey back
Lots of love :-) xxx |
| By: Emma Aveling | When: 6th May 2007 16:54 | Hi pops - glad you're still going strong. Looks amazing. Well done team. Just wanted to let you know I love you, and I forgive you for missing my birthday - it's not as bad as 20 years ago, when you missed my 8th (?) birthday because the aeroplane crashed into the man driving the stairs away. They gave me a Pan-Am air hostess doll...wonder what I'll get this time..? xx PS At least this seems more genuine than your ski resort "conferences" x |
| By: Dierk from Shanghai | When: 6th May 2007 14:47 | NI Hao Les, congratulations and well done... I know that you will do it. Have a safe journey back. |
| By: Kelvin Burkinshaw | When: 6th May 2007 13:51 | Great to see you've arrived Adam. Well done to you and Mike. Fantastic achievement. Is that a beard? We're following the website very closely - sounds like you'll have lots of stories to tell. Can't wait to see you and hear all about it. |
| By: claire bevan | When: 6th May 2007 13:12 | Hi Kay
Those cravings must be difficult to deal with,but I'm sure that all of us at home are planning plenty of treats for the returning Xtreme team in 6 weeks time. |
| By: Graham Sefton | When: 6th May 2007 12:36 | Hi to Les Smith .. congratulations and well done!!Have a safe trip Home Graham and Ross |
| By: Lauren Brain | When: 6th May 2007 10:46 | Well done grandad, were all very proud of you and your achievement, it must feel brilliant! Have a safe journey back lots of love Lauren. |
| By: Tina Mackenney | When: 6th May 2007 09:06 | Dear Kay, I've been reading your blogs with great interest and I'm very sorry about your 'cravings' - but I too have a craving - to hear some news of Mac, Rhys & Lee (that very special team who are going to pack up all the fantastic equipment you've got out there and get it back home!) I have a sneaking feeling that, instead of keeping them at Base Camp for the duration, you have allowed them back to that beautiful hotel in Kathmandu, where they are presently 'living it up' on snails in garlic butter etc. & the crisp white wine you so long for (but without the painted toe nails, I hope!!!) PLEASE give them a mention sometime soon and with a picture if poss. I just want to know they're ok. Good luck, best wishes & thanks. Mac's mum. |
| By: Jean Krause | When: 6th May 2007 02:09 | Congratulations Les (Smith), and everyone in Group G; knew you could do it. Look forward to all the stories when you return home. Jean and Alan |
| By: Karen Brain | When: 5th May 2007 21:01 | Congratulations to everyone in group G for reaching the finishing line Well done Dad (Les Smith) knew you could do it.Looking forward to sharing the stories Brains |
| By: Janet Price | When: 5th May 2007 19:34 | Congratulations to everyone in Group G for getting to the "Finish Line"! Chris, we're staying with Gillian & Graham this weekend and doing our mini-trek over the Wrekin tomorrow - we're not expecting snow, it's lovely and warm here! Take care and looking forward to seeing all the photos - looks wonderful. Love Mum & Dad |
| By: Debbie Smyth | When: 5th May 2007 14:41 | Hi Kay , what about a big bowl of champ with lots of butter followed by some apple crumble and custard, ah thats cruel to tempt your salivaryglands in that way, you are all doing a fab job and your taste buds will be rewarded on your return , flipflops , skirt and nailvarnish all onstandby. |
| By: Barbara Duncan | When: 5th May 2007 13:52 | Well done Group G! I miss you all and so wish I was with you still. You all look blooming with health. Thanks for message Wynne, love to you too. Barbara |
| By: lamont ross | When: 5th May 2007 13:13 | Miss Kay, Great entry. I can just imagine the cravings you described while none are available. With the influx of people into base camp, I would think finding "cosy" is difficult. Continued best wishes and continued prayers of safety as the summit push nears. |
| By: Teresa | When: 5th May 2007 13:12 | Hi Kay, Can't help you with your cravings but I have posted you a nail file so you don't have to raid the tool box again. Hi to everyone at EBC , especially to Gwen. |
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>