Acclimatization for Real

Today we’re commencing an expedition phase of eminent significance. The body will have to work extra hard and (as part of the rotation scheme) will get the taste of 7,000+ altitudes and “meet the mountain”. Afterwards we’ll descend back to the base camp where the body – stronger than before (which is the whole purpose of the acclimatization ritual) – will re-gain balance.

It’s challenging enough to get to the Advance Base Camp (ABC): the way leads across a treacherous icefall with numerous cracks and crevices – we’re up for some serious zigzagging in order to get there! We intend to spend two nights at ABC; on the third day we plan to set off for C1 (a high-altitude camp at 5,800 m) and stay till the next day; then we will push to C2 and spend two nights there – as high as 6,600 m ASL. Finally, we will crown our effort by (hopefully) completing a carry to C3. Then we’ll tick the last box on our imaginary list and head back to the base camp.

I’ll have a satellite phone with me to be able to report on our progress. So far I’ve been feeling well. According to the forecast, decent weather should last just about till we’ve descended back to the base camp where we intend to be taking a rest for about a week. 

“Petr the Pilot” works miracles: he’s come up with another drone. He’s determined to ascend up to C1 where he will launch it. Then we’ll part ways: Petr (for the time being) does not intend to go any higher and will “rotate” back to BC.