Glaciers!
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Yesterday we left Pheriche (4,250m / 13,944ft) for Lobuje at 4,940m / 16,207ft, a total climb of about 2,300ft. I felt extremely exhausted and by the time I arrived at Lobuje, felt really ill ? very strong headache, nauseous, general memory failure, difficulty walking in a straight line, and very weak. The doctor diagnosed me as having mild-to-moderate mountain sickness and we discussed taking Diamox which would relieve the symptoms but alter the rest of my research results.
We decided I would keep the tablets in case of emergency ? the development of cerebral oedema during the night. That night was the worst ever, feeling very poorly with severe apnoea. In my case, this meant panic breathing every two to five minutes throughout the whole night, and hence having very little sleep accompanied by high stress. Unbelievably this morning I felt reasonably OK and fortunately was able to continue the climb and avoid taking Diamox. The rest of the team F trekking group seems to be doing fairly well with no major problems.
Today?s climb took us along the Khumbu glacier to Gorak Shep (5,220m / 17,126ft). I can only describe today?s trek for Canadian friends as ?awesome?, and for English friends as ?wild and powerfully spectacular with crevassed ice tower ceracs on a colossal scale?. The glaciers carried rocks the size of double-decker buses like fleas on an elephant?s back.
We are now at Gorak Shep and I?m feeling reasonably OK, although I have very low energy levels and am concerned about the huge effort I will have to make to summit Lobuje in six days? time. Since Lobuje is a further 5,000ft climb, I will have to be fully recovered from altitude sickness, fully acclimatised, have regained my energy levels and have good weather. Post a comment on this article... Open message form
Comments on this article| By: Rufus Caudwell | When: 5th May 2007 11:29 | Hi dad. hopefully you are not feeling to ill at the moment. sorry i wasn't downstairs when you rung mum yesterday. She was delighted that you rang her. she told me that you liked the poem, i thought you would. are you nearly at lobuje? is Brian feeling alright. sjchool has gone really well so far but i' at home now for the weekend. Try and get a good night's sleep lots of love scopel. |
| By: Mary Rawson | When: 5th May 2007 00:58 | Keep your spirits up, John.
I was with Trek A, and Lobuje was by far the most tiring day, with others in our group feeling much the same as you. Later, back at Kathmandu, we were talking over the trek and Paul, our beloved trek leader, said it was at Lobuje that he began to have doubts that we'd all make it to Base Camp. But we did, and I'm sure you will too.
The secret is, slow, slowly and then even slower - water, water, and more water. I believe you have Sirdar Tenzing with you - just trust him, his patience is awesome.
Looking forward to hearing you've got to EBC.
All the best to everyone on Trek F.
Mary |
| By: Dave & Kathy George | When: 5th May 2007 00:48 | You truely are an amazing man, boss! You take care and come back to Broughton safe. Everywhere is in full bloom in the garden. Must be because its so proud of you.
Keep safe
Love to Brian Dave & Kathy xx |
| By: Jen Caudwell | When: 4th May 2007 21:49 | Pops it was so wonderful to hear from you yesterday, i am missing you so much. Mummy and i had a lovely few days in Spain, we would have loved you to have been with us, but dont worry i think i did a pretty good job of helping ama when she was missing you, as all she kept saying is "god Jen your like your father", i am not sure whether that is because i did things like make her a drink in the morning and fix the ironing board, or because i drove her mad! hehe! Continue to take care of yourself daddy you are putting your body under huge amounts of stress, and you are very precious and we all love you very much. I am so incredibly proud of you and what you are achieving. Love you so much, jen and co. xxx |
| By: Ray Majer | When: 4th May 2007 17:37 | Hi John/Brian,I hope you're both OK. John,just read you're latest blog,please be careful.Being an ignoramus regarding high altitude issues (amongst other things) I didn't realise you could suffer the sort of physical reactions that you clearly are.Don't overdo it old pal,listen to what you're body is telling you.....please. Take it easy guy's. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Ray. |
| By: Rebekah Caudwell | When: 4th May 2007 12:07 | Hi poppa, as you can see there is an enormous amount of well-wishing, support and encouragement welling up for you as you fight on with this expedition. I miss you very much but am so proud and amazed with how you'e managing. Amazed? Or perhaps after all i wouldn't have expected anything less of you. But please be careful. No risks. Love and support to brian.
I love you so much, Reba xxx |
| By: Nick Cresswell | When: 4th May 2007 11:21 | Greetings to ABC from the Pig's Club. Hope all the fags you don't smoke aren't coming back to haunt you Brian?? Sounds like you and John are having a serious adventure, and the scenery sounds amazing. Nigel and I going for a pub run on m/cycles this evening, will raise a glass to you.
Take care,
Nick C |
| By: Claire Waller | When: 4th May 2007 09:40 | Hello John, I am so full of admiration for you, it sounds really awful, like a bad nightmare. I saw Ru yesterday and he looks great, he had just had a tennis lesson and was so full of energy, you will be amazed at the change in him - and what about that poem, it made me cry, it is so you! We can't wait for your return now and hear some of the amazing things that you have done and learnt, We all love you lots - Mum sends you a kiss and says keep safe and come home in one piece xx Clairabelle xx |
| By: Arthur and Teresa | When: 4th May 2007 07:43 | Hi John, We're so sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. Wishing you speedy acclimatisation. Look after your health - take it easy and try to enjoy. Looking forward to reading your EBC Blog. Best wishes, Arthur and Teresa |
| By: claire johnson | When: 4th May 2007 00:24 | relieved to hear your voice today darling . You really must be an android like i have always said ,i mean no sleep , breathing difficulties and altitude sickness , yet still climbing ! you are an amazing man , but take those pills if it gets worse . 12 days to go and counting , a picture of you would be good . How is brian doing ? keep us informed as we all wait with bated breath for your blog. All our love, jacobi & chloe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
| By: Stephen Wardle | When: 3rd May 2007 21:44 | HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kate from all of us. JC, it sounds almost as bad as being in a peleton with you and hearing that dreaded word bellow from your mouth.........NEXT! Seriously you need to be careful, it may indeed be "awesome", but "statistically" it can also be dangerous. Of course after all this achievement and high fitness level, you will be unbearable until we manage to feed you up. Thought Ru's poem was brilliant, don't know where he gets that skill from.... must be Kate. Best wishes again to you and BC. Love Laura and Steve |
| By: Dom Caudwell | When: 3rd May 2007 21:27 | Hey pops, oh dear sounds like the altitude is getting to you. Well uncle john anyway, hope he gets better soon. How are you doing, suffering yet? No doubt we'll just here about it on your return, let us know how you're doing if you get chance, no worries if not. well just think of all the treatments il be able to give you when you get back! All still thinking of you, loads and loads of love, hugs and kisses, dom and everyone at home xxxx |
| By: Rufus Caudwell | When: 3rd May 2007 19:36 | Hello dad. hope you liked the poem. i spent a lot of time on that. i hope you are very careful cos' we don't want any casualties. you know what you are like with breaking your neck! tour going to get altitude sickness when you get back home because ypu won't be used to the low altitude. just incase you forgot while you were feeling ill its mummy's birthday today! i'll tell her that you sent your love. lots of love Scopel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
| By: Helen | When: 3rd May 2007 18:20 |
Wishing you full recovery Mr Caudwell - will pray your Arch Angels help you and your team along safely.
Staffordshire in a glorious warmth of sun light this afternoon with orange blossom in full bloom and a heady sensuous aroma - am sending the fragrance to you now to aid your full recovery.
Fantastic effort and well done to you and your team - keep going - the diamonds are at the top of the mountain! |
| By: Rebekah Caudwell | When: 3rd May 2007 17:53 | Oh darling Daddy. It sounds so utterly awful. How much i'd like to give you a big kiss and hug and then smoothe your head till you drop off into a blissful snorey sleep... You will be careful won't you? You have to listen to your body now and take heed if this gets any worse. It's just not worth the risk. And it wouldn't be fair to us would it now? I'm sending energy vibes and hoping hugely that you've been through the worst so you can continue with your extraordinary journey....
Just thought i'd remind you it's ma's birthday today. I don't suppose your PSION is seeing much use out there! Love you very much. Sleep well, Reba xxx |
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John Caudwell 3rd May 2007
Kay Mitchell
23rd Dec 2009 1 message 
13/05/07 
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