A Farewell to Helen and to Base Camp

The day started early for Helen Luery, who left by road for KTM and thence home. It is fair to say that we are all in awe of Helen, Denny and Kay (in particular) who have managed to establish a fully functioning cardiopulmonary exercise testing lab 5km above sea level- and to international standards. However, Helen?s work is done, and we bid her a fond farewell.

Following a hearty breakfast, we set about dismantling the last of the camp, and helping weigh kit and load a lorry which was to deliver gear on to intermediate camp. This done, we set off for our walk. The day was fine, and the walk beautiful, although we all felt the gain in altitude. Used to hauling sledges to the poles, Mike Stroud danced his way up, arriving in little more than two hours. Intermediate camp has a semi-permanent set of lodgings for some families of yak herders. Nikki had a friend who met them last year, and who had identified a small child who had no toys. A fluffy animal of some sort was thus duly delivered- all to the child?s delight!

All were tired, and turned in for bed early. However a wild Tibetan party rolls on into the night. Our observation they only seem to know one song is met by the response that the same is probably true of us after a few drinks.

Story by Hugh Montgomery