The first move up

The day starts cold and early, and we have much to do. A run of blood letting starts the day- with samples being spun, separated and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Our Puja then starts- the traditional Buddhist ceremony of blessing before heading to the mountain. Juniper is burned, prayer flags hoisted, and ground barley and rice eaten and flung. We then eat breakfast before packing for the move?

Today is the day that we move to Lake Camp (approx 5900m) for the night. We shall perhaps climb to Camp 1 tomorrow, then return for a rest day. This sort of stop-start can feel slow at times, but is essential to acclimatization. Mountains and physiology cannot be beaten, and humility in such things is all.

Story by Hugh Montgomery