We were split into three teams (the Lions, Tigers and Leopards) and the first team summited Lobuje on Thursday morning. Our Sherpas had pitched seven tents on top of the mountain and I was very impressed by how smoothly they had flattened the platforms on this steep site. The top of Lobuje is a bit higher than Camp I on Mount Everest and it certainly offers better views than from the bowl where Camp I lies. We saw an amazing sunset over Everest, Makalu, Baruntse and one of my favourite mountains, Cho Polu.
When Ellen and I entered our tent, which was equipped with two sleeping bags and a cooking kit, we noticed an odd smell. However, we did not ponder over it as we knew that this tent had been occupied by two blokes the previous night. After having made ourselves comfortable and brewed a cup of tea, Ellen all of a sudden cried out and screamed: “Now I know where the odour comes from!” and she picked up a pair of men’s underpants that were inside her sleeping bag! Both of us were in stitches but before I threw them out of the tent I looked at the brand and size of the underpants in order to find the culprit on our return to base camp. I then got on the radio to Russell to find out who arrived at camp without underpants, however, he told me that nobody of the Lion Team had arrived yet. He told me laughingly to bring them down so we could do a “Cinderella Test” at base camp the next day. When I arrived back at our base camp on Saturday afternoon, I quickly impaled the knickers on my walking pole outside my tent, however, none of the boys has yet claimed ownership of the black pair of large underpants that were ‘made in China’. The scarier thought is that these underpants are actually from a previous expedition and have been living inside this sleeping bag for more than one year.
Today, the rest of our team will come back down from Lobuje Peak and we should all be reunited at our base camp to hedge a plan for the next few days. I guess that we will rest here for another couple of days, and then head through the icefall to either Camp I or Camp II, depending on fitness. The weather is still unseasonably warm, however, today was the first day that we woke up to a cloudy sky. I went up to the “real” base camp this morning and chatted to some of the expedition leaders there. I found out that most teams have already been as high as Camp II. However, the site that lies at an altitude of 6,400m was swept away by a storm this morning and some teams have actually lost some tents up there. According to one of our team members, who was at CII for three days, our tents did not get flattened but most people were forced to come back down to base camp today. According to the weather forecast, this is only a temporary low pressure and the winds should die down this afternoon.
I am still feeling good and energetic, and I am currently sitting in our plush “Whitepod” where two of our team members are playing Scaleextric! Yes, you have read correctly – someone brought a Scaleextric set (for my German friends, this is a “Carrera Autorennbahn”) up to base camp and our team is now not only enjoying watching DVDs in the Whitepod but they are also playing Scaleextric!
Let’s see what will arrive next at our base camp! I shall certainly keep you posted!
..and before I forget – thanks to all of you for your encouraging and lovely comments. You have no idea how much they mean to me. They even get me running down to Gorak Shep, which is about one-hour walk away, just to read them. I am sorry I cannot reply individually but communication is not that easy on the foot of Mount Everest! Thank you so much again.
liiieeebe pilliiiieeee, ich denk fest an dich und drück dir sämtliche daumen…und mama hat recht: futter, was das zeug hält, auch wenn du keinen hunger hast da oben!!! bussi & toitoitoi…
bärbele ich glaube ganz fest an dich,du schaffst es, aber bitte iss weiter wie ein pig bussi
Hi Billi, ich liebe deine Blogs und verfolge alles mit großer Spannung. Alles Gute für dich und das ganze Team. Berg heil! Grüße aus Herne…
I find Everest to be one of the most terrifying yet spellbinding natural phenomenons. You are courageous and inspiring for taking on such an endeavor, and more over, telling not only your story but the stories of all involved.
Keep up the amazing work!
Hey Bärbel, ich wünsche Dir den Everest Gipfel, toi toi toi. Gruß Hans
Hi Billi,
Fabulous and funny story! (But, year-old smelly “drawers”? Eeeeuuuuuu!) Glad you’re enjoying everything. Much continued success and I’ll look forward to your next posting. A big hug from the Midwest (U.S.), Beth
drück dich ganz fest,wünsche dir dass alles zu deinem besten ist, und du nicht noch mehr underbumbles findest,uns gehts gut und ich gebe allen bekannten deine homepage, sind alle sehr begeister dickes bussi mama
Hah, knickers! … smell might be similar to that of Max the rat locked in the store room, unless the door has been opened by now. Hope you get to taste the real thing soon, how is your ladder techique coming on? Can’t be more difficult than the ones at Phora. HUUUGE hug from Nonna
Hi Billi, I’ve been following everyone’s blog. I went trekking with Russ in 2007 Cho Oyu, love to be there with all of you. And I am glad that you have written the nice work by sherpas, They are the unsung heroes !!! Love the underpants experience….you take care and enjoy
Hey Billi, it’s so exciting to follow the blog, I love it, as always! Seems a bit strange though to read about ice, snow and rock while looking out for lions in the heath of South Africa (and I’ve been very lucky indeed!), big hug from SA, baba