Illness Spreads

Many of us were suffering headaches overnight, courtesy of the altitude. However, we all awaken to get on with work. Some of our experiments require liquid nitrogen. We have sent most of our kit on to our base camp by road from Nepal, but felt that moving liquid nitrogen in this way posed a hazard. We thus took the decision to seek this in Lhasa.

Yesterday, we telephoned veteran explorer and Himalayan climber (and doctor) Charles Clarke, who gave us the contact details of someone who might help. We spoke yesterday and, on calling this morning, arranged to meet him near the monastery. What follows is a tour of local pharmacies and of small glass ampoules: we clearly haven?t explained our needs well enough! However, before long we are in a local hospital, where the director lets us buy over 20 litres! The filled containers are delivered later that afternoon.

Most of the afternoon is spent in local markets, where the team buy hats for the hill (there is to be a competition!!!), before we eat supper at a nearby restaurant.

We are all much better acclimatised. However, illness is spreading: five of the team now have D and V?.. We all retire early, as we shall be heading higher tomorrow?..

Story by Kay Mitchell