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Happy Easter

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After 2 weeks of testing and trekking in Nepal, the Caudwell Xtreme Team arrived at Everest Base Camp (EBC). It is a beautiful trek through the Khumbu, but it?s good to be here, as we now have a permanent base as well as our extra personal kit barrels! EBC will be our base for the next 9 weeks.

Situated at 5320 metres, in the shadow of huge mountains like Pumori and Nuptse, EBC is a visually stunning, but harsh environment. Our camp lies on a glacier at the left hand lower edge of the notorious Khumbu Icefall, which climbers must negotiate to reach camp 1. At night we fall asleep to the roar of avalanches, rock falls or cracking as crevasses open up. Even though we are safe in our camp, it is quite disconcerting for the first few times!

EBC is pleasantly warm in the sunlight, but after dusk temperatures plummet to as low as -18 C overnight. Therefore huge duvet jackets and big boots are essential day time attire and ?pee bottles? in our tents are very useful for any nocturnal toilet calls!

Our Sherpa and logistics team have gone to extraordinary effort to make EBC as welcoming as possible. Each team member has their own tent, complete with an air mattress. We have sit down toilet tents and even a (temperamental) gas heated shower. We all eat and socialise in a huge mess tent. Food is plentiful and tasty, particularly with the introduction of ?treat? barrels ? stores of extra luxury foods like jaffa cakes and cheese to dip into whenever we please. Rumour has it there are even some Easter eggs???..

The finishing touches are being made to the exercise laboratory, medical tent and offices prior to Xtreme Team testing over the Easter weekend. Spare us a thought as we cycle to exhaustion. Enjoy those Easter eggs.

Happy Easter!

Comments on this article

By: Steven Howard

When: 5th May 2007 12:30

FOR DAVID HOWARD!

Hello! Finally found you in amongst all the photos and articles on this website! How come you're the only one with a flower garland!? The place looks amazing, sounds like really interesting work.
Hope you are feeling better after your trip down for a few days - back at EBC?

We've just booked to go see Paul in end oif June, and hoping to drive around France for a week beginning of June. Find out about jobs on 8th June. And goin for my Moorfiled appointment on 21st May! Though don't have your bank details!!

Are you gonna be at EBC for your birthday?! Hope you had a good Easter (!) - anyone fly flags for St george's day?!

Hope you're having a great time, thinking of you,

lotsa love Steve

By: Jildou van der kaaij	When: 21st Apr 2007 21:09
Hallo Jildou Wat fijn om te horen, dat het zo goed gaat in de Himalaya. De Betuwe staat in volle bloei en genieten hier erg van. Hier alles OK. Wensen je veel succes. Kees en Tineke.

By: Annemarie Sliedrecht	When: 18th Apr 2007 10:49
Hey NIkki, what a great stories and pictures! did you receive my message at your birthday? it must have been very special to turn 25 at such an amazing place! take care babe, I'm proud of you! I'm doing great, 6 weeks holiday at the mo :) next week I will go biking in tuscany (italy) with my dad for 10 days! Liefs Anne

By: Robin and Rod Ward	When: 17th Apr 2007 23:38
Hey Harry! Hope the imodium's working - thinking of you BIG FELLA! Love The Wards xxx

By: Veronique Erens

When: 16th Apr 2007 11:54

Ciao Nikki,
Happy Birthday!!!!!, I hope you read your sms on the satalite phone.
Now your an old lady on an expedition.....take care
The "Chickies on Tour" are almost leaving.... the last things arranging with the university and then......zo vrij als een vogeltje!!!

Dikke kus (Big Hug and kiss!)

By: Frank & Irma	When: 14th Apr 2007 17:52
Lieve Jildou, Communication is better than expected, wonderfull to keep the website active from the top of the world. All well with van der Kaaij's. Wishing you a beauitiful time in warmth and energy in EBC. Hope to get there one day, but this was now too soon. Sure you will return as well! All our love, Frank & Irma xx

By: Richard en Rinske	When: 11th Apr 2007 22:55
Hey Nikki Happy birthday! In between the highest mountains and an enthusiast team: what a dream! Success for all of you! We come to see you soon. Love, Richard and Rinske

By: diana harvey

When: 11th Apr 2007 10:59

Jules - Thank you for your phone call. We do hope you are feeling better now.

Love from Mother

By: Nancy Rodway	When: 9th Apr 2007 11:54
Happy Easter, George! Kelsey and I miss you and hope you didn't partake in too much Easter dol bot (I never did learn how to spell that!) Love, nance

By: Lenie Hulshoff

When: 8th Apr 2007 19:59

Hello Jildou

Vrolijk pasen!! And do als have some fun in EBC.
On behalf of the Lied en Leef Pot and the anesthesiology department VU Medical Centre Amsterdam.

By: Susan and Mike Sumpner	When: 8th Apr 2007 10:54
Hi David and rest of ebc Happy Easter. We are really enjoying the web site pics and blogs. It is nice of you to make time to tell us how things are going. Take care. love Susan & Mike, Worcester.

By: Harry Ogden

When: 7th Apr 2007 22:02

Very best of luck to everyone - following all the news with much interest and wish I was out there with you!

Harry Ogden

By: Geoff Hall

When: 7th Apr 2007 09:23

Happy Easter to all,
I am packed and ready to go - eagerly waiting for the Wednesday departure date. After weeks of waiting it seems to have come round so quickly. My own personal challenge will be to reach EBC and stand at the bottom of the Icefall. A steady acclimatisation will be crucial to achieve this aim. I am aware I will need to temper my normal enthusiasm for bounding along at the front, although I'm sure the altitude will help me slow down... and calling in at the many tea houses will assist. I will keep in mind the treats on offer at EBC as an incentive to gain height slowly... I particularly like Jaffa cakes. Don't eat them all before I arrive!regards,
Geoff (CXE-D12)

By: Tina Mackenney	When: 7th Apr 2007 08:32
So glad to have some news from EBC and to know that conditions are as comfortable as possible. Good luck to all - in particular to "my lad" Mac & the Logistics Team. (Lisa & I are missing your blogs!) Wishing you all a very happy Easter and I hope you get your Eggs! Tina Mac.

By: Claire Bevan

When: 6th Apr 2007 23:54

Hi Rhys

Hope everything is going well up there at base camp,it sounds as though you have been working really hard to get everything ready for the trekkers.Did your chocolate arrive safely?

Happy Easter, keep warm!

Love from us all

Mum

By: Claire Bray

When: 6th Apr 2007 17:41

Hello David!

Happy Easter! Hope your chocolate hasn't melted!

With love from the Maidstone Gang!

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