The Drive to Shigatsu

All packed, we leave at 07.30hrs for Shigatse, a small town at nearly 3900m.

We are all split into different Landcruisers for the drive, and Mark Wilson, Alex and Chris VT and Hugh share one. The conversation is wide-ranging. Chris has recently featured in the BBC ?Blizzard? series, recreating Scott?s polar trip. He was their navigator, so we all learn a great deal about solar and astral navigation. The countryside is glorious- flat river beds, and sweeping hills surround.

We arrive at another comfortable hotel, and all then walk up to the nearby monastery. This is truly wonderful: still fully functional, with a real sense of spirituality and peace. We spend several hours there, before descending to the hotel. The VTs remain ?viral?, and we all have altitude-related headaches? but otherwise morale is good.

Story by Kay Mitchell