HEAVY GOING TO CAMP 1

At approx 11:00 am [Our time] had a call from Hoseman. “Am at Jamies Camp1. Safe and sound in a nice big tent.”
Left Depot Camp at 10 am. On the way, met Andrew and his girl friend and together we entered the Penitentes. On exiting Penitentes, Hoseman waited about 30 minutes and was lucky to meet a team of 8 Sherpas accompanying 2 Russian climbers whom he was able to follow after they had compacted trail.
After Penitentes had to face a climb of about 600m vertical climb. This went well for about 90% of the trail and he was able to keep up with the Sherpas most comfortably. Unfortunately, they turned off in a different direction to one of the lower of the Camps 1. The group then made off and Hoseman was left to fend for himself in virtually virgin territory in driving winds. Visibility was very bad and it was really cold – going was extremely difficult. He felt that, up to this point, his progress had had been fine and well within his capabilities. But it had been hard work, a hard mountain day! Wind was blowing driving snow and sleet.
“I got to the camp of the British Military expedition feeling very cold and exhausted.
Fortunately, they allowed me to sit for a while in one of their ‘Provisions’ tents where I was able to compose myself. I was a bit concerned as my hands had become really cold and I was a bit worried about my core temperature. I must have sat there for about half an hour and was most grateful for their hospitality.”
The rest of the journey was very difficult. There was no visible trail and the loose snow was knee deep. One had to proceed over a very thin surface which all too frequently collapsed. After about 20 minutes of struggling in these adverse conditions, I was obliged to wrap myself up in my spare tent and boil some water for a hot drink. Then, with a full pack on my back, I had to virtually crawl the last 200 metres (vertical) to reach Jamies camp ! It was a hell of a day!
There are a number of #1 Camps – all fairly well spread out. Jamie’s camp 1 is higher whereas my Camp 1 is even higher. Jamie had gone down to camp ABC yesterday and there was no one about the camp now.
Hoseman felt it was a pity it had had to end this way after having started off so strongly. In a way, he felt the experience had been humbling – yet he felt he had been able to push his own boundaries today. Got stuck today and became exposed more than he would have liked to. He nevertheless felt strong both mentally and physically. It was on the emotional front, that he had felt it more enduring today. He was also grateful for his previous experiences on mountains in Canada , etc.
Now it was merely a matter of waiting it out and for an improvement in the weather.
He also looked forward to the arrival of another group of Sherpas be fore considering his next move.
In reply to Mumsie, he said he was not concerned about finding his way to his own Camp 1 as he had a good idea of how to get there. Moreover, he had his GPS for readings and had also left a bread-crumb trail previously. He added that he normally walked with two Leki walking poles but on this occasion (with full double pack) had to do the last bit on his hands and knees.
At one stage, Hoseman said he had looked back and saw someone staring at him. Seeing me, he must have wondered what was going on. All the climbers are now on very tight schedules. I know I still have a problem getting to my Camp 1 but in the meantime, it is very comfortable here in Jamie’s Camp 1. I am in a fairly large tent, could probably sleep four persons – in fact have a selection of various tents (about 7) to choose from! Journey to Camp 1 will again be a matter of counting laboriously every 100 steps and then the next hundred. “It seems as though I have already counted a billion of them!”
He had tried to communicate with Jamie’s expedition but unable to get through. Perhaps we could sent him an email. Tell him: “Mark is at his Camp 1 and that there in s no radio communication.”We said we were delighted to receive his ten email pictures. News from London was that everything’s OK. Spare some positive thoughts for Lianne whose recent operations have been successful and now needs lots of positive support. [END]