March 2025
1 Week left!!
Hi everyone, this is my first Everest blog post! Dad and I are officially 1 week out from leaving Australia to start our very long expedition in the Himalayas in Nepal, to attempt to reach the top of Mt Everest! My…
By Bianca
ABC radio
On Wednesday Mum, Dad and I all went into the ABC radio studio with Raf Epstein! This was my first time on the radio! We talked about why I wanted to climb, and how we are minimising the risks. In the studio Here is a…
By Bianca
April 2025
Bianca’s last training
Hi everyone – this is Fiona here, Bianca’s mum. I really can’t believe that the time has almost come and Bianca and Paul are leaving tomorrow! There’s still a lot to organise with gear being packed and lots going on at…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Everest nails!!
Always need bright girly nails when climbing!! Leaving tomorrow night!!
By Bianca
LEAVING MELBOURNE!
We are all packed and are about to leave for our big expedition! We are flying to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. We will spend a couple of nights there and then fly into the mountains and start our trek! Luckily…
By Bianca
Day in Kathmandu
We have met up with our group of friends and family who will trek into Everest Base camp with us! We spent the day walking around Thamel and buying bits of trekking gear for them together! Shopping in Thamel!! I went to…
By Bianca
Day 1 of the trek
Today we were lucky enough to get a helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla! The whole group of 11 of us all made it, without being separated!! We then had lunch in Lukla (2800m) and started day 1 of our trek to…
By Bianca
Day 2 – Namche Bazaar!
Today was day 2 and we trekked from Phakding to Namche! There was a decent hill finishing up the day but everyone powered through well, and with ease! We got our stuff set up in the lodge and I went to the famous Sherpa…
By Bianca
Day 3 – Everest
Today was a “rest day” in Namche Bazaar at 3400m. But in trekking language a “rest day” means staying in the same village 2 nights in a row, and doing a 4 hour hike. So today we hiked up to Everest View hotel at 3800m –…
By Bianca
Day 4 – Everest
today we walked from Namche 3400m to Deboche 3800m. The start was quite nice, with flat walking and good views of Ama Dablam, and even a couple glimpses of Everest! We had tea along the way (with some very interesting…
By Bianca
Day 5 – Everest
Today we walked from Debuche (3800m) to Dingboche (4400m). We started the morning very cheery by singing happy birthday to Chris!!! We left early because we knew the weather would get pretty bad later on. We took some…
By Bianca
Day 6 – Everest
Today was another “rest” day but it was probably my hardest day yet!! We walked up the local hill above Dingboche called Nangarjung at 5050m! We went super slow to avoid getting tired for the harder days ahead and…
By Bianca
Day 7 – Everest
Today we walked from Dingboche (4300m) to Lobuche (4800m). The morning was beautiful and we had clear skies and amazing views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Island Peak, Makalu, Cholatse, and Lobuche Peak. As we walked in the…
By Bianca
Day 8 – Everest
Today we walked from Lobuche to Gorakshep, at 5160m ASL. The morning started off with lots and lots of hot chocolate and a hearty breakfast, despite our diminishing appetites. Dad asked us all if we wanted to go for a…
By Bianca
Day 9 – Everest
Today we woke up at 5:30 to walk up Kalapathar at 5600m!! The morning was clear and we had amazing views of Pumori, a stunning 7000m peak. However almost as soon as we began walking the clouds covered the view and it…
By Bianca
Day 10 – Base camp!!
Today we walked from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp!! We woke up a little bit later and started walking at about 9am. The views were incredible and we were able to properly see Everest, since we missed out on Kalapathar…
By Bianca
Day 11 – Base camp!!
Today we spent our first full day in base camp! And for once it was an legitimate REST day!!! During the night some of our friends and family had had some trouble with slight altitude sickness and some food poisoning,…
By Bianca
Day 12 – Trekkers gone :(
Today was the day that our friends and family who had trekked with us for 12 days, left to trek back down to the comforts of lower altitudes. We had an early breakfast and took some last minute group photos in front of…
By Bianca
Day 13 – Base camp
Today was our first full day without our trekking friends. This was also the first night of the trip that I felt pretty bad! My tent was slightly sloping downwards, with my head down and I had the worst pounding…
By Bianca
Day 14 – acclimatisation hike
Today Dad and I walked to Pumori advanced base camp (ABC) at 5700m. Pumori is another big mountain near Everest, and doing a day hike from Everest base camp, up to ABC is very popular amongst climbers. To help with…
By Bianca
Day 15 – EBC
Today was another rest day at Everest Base Camp, since we did a bigger hike yesterday. We spent the morning talking to some new climbers that had arrived at base camp. Today was Easter so we celebrated by eating some…
By BiancaDay 15 – EBC
Today was another rest day at Everest Base Camp, since we did a bigger hike yesterday. We spent the morning talking to some new climbers that had arrived at base camp. Today was Easter so we celebrated by eating some…
By Bianca
Day 16 – Acclimatisation hike
Today we did another acclimatisation hike up to Pumori Advanced Base Camp (ABC) at 5700m! It was super fun because we hiked with a big group of climbers from our team! There was about 12 of us and it was so nice to walk…
By Bianca
Day 17 – rest day at EBC
Today was another rest day since we did our acclimatisation hike yesterday. We had breakfast and I went to the communal tent to meet up with climbing friends from other expeditions, as well as some new people. Everyone…
By Bianca
Day 18 – icefall training
Today we did some climbing refreshment “training” in the Khumbu Icefall, and some oxygen training. After breakfast Dad, me, and a few others got geared up and we walked down to the base of the Khumbu Icefall (huge…
By Bianca
Day 19 – Puja!!
Today we had the Puja ceremony! It is a ceremony to ask the mountain for blessings and safety for our climb. The Monk visits each company’s camp for each Puja, and reads scriptures. Juniper is smoked, and there are…
By BiancaDay 20 – can’t leave
Today was the day we were supposed to pack our high altitude climbing gear up, to leave for camp 1 that night. I planned my day with a nap in the morning, lots of fluids (can help thin out blood to minimise frostbite),…
By BiancaDay 21 – Acclimatisation hike
Today we did an acclimatisation hike to Pumori ABC at 5700m It was a bit annoying waking up again at base camp, since we were supposed to leave last night but couldn’t due to an avalanche. We made use of the day to…
By Biancaday 22 & 23 – rotation 1!!
Leaving for our first rotation now!
By BiancaBianca & Paul are through the icefall
Hi everyone – Fiona here, Bianca’s mum! I’ve just heard from Bianca and Paul via a text message on their satellite device that they are through the dangerous part of the icefall. Right now, they are at 5910m and having…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Bianca & Paul are at Camp 1
After a long climb up, Bianca and Paul have reported in by satellite message that they are both safe at Camp 1. Paul said that Bianca was doing very well but he felt pretty tired. I’m sure they’ll both be ready for a…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Resting at Camp 1
Hi everyone! I’ve just heard from Paul and Bianca on the satellite and they are resting at Camp 1 today to help with acclimatisation. Right now they are enjoying a very warm tent! Meanwhile, Kerry and I have just flown…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Bianca and Paul at Camp 2
Hi everyone, Just a quick update to let you know that Bianca and Paul reached camp 2 today. They said the weather hasn’t been great – lots of snow, quite windy and it was very cold last night. But during the day it was…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
May 2025
Day 23 – (B’s POV) Khumbu ICEFALL!
Today we went to camp 1 through the Khumbu Icefall! Honestly, I was so nervous beforehand, as this is the most dangerous part of the Everest climb, that cannot be controlled much. Even though relatively, I have quite a…
By Biancaday 24 – (B’s POV)camp 1
About 1 hour before I left for the icefall, I threw up at base camp. I think I was a bit sick and Dad then caught it because he was sick coming up to camp 1. We are not in a rush so we decided to have a rest day in camp…
By BiancaFINALLY ON THE MOUNTAIN!
Sorry if these blogs are annoying, but I just wanted to say how good it feels to finally be on MT EVEREST! I have been dreaming of this moment for so long and I’m finally here!! Even though I’m not that high up yet,…
By BiancaDay 25 – (B’s POV)camp 2 6500m
Today we climbed from camp 1 (6100m) to camp 2 (6480m)! This is meant to be one of the “easier” days but honestly it was just a long boring slog! The zone of camp 1 to camp 2 is called the Western Cwm (pronounced coom)…
By BiancaDay 26 – (B’s POV)camp 2
Today we had a rest day at camp 2, to help Dad recover a bit more. Normally if you feel sick in the high mountains it is best to go down (where there is more oxygen) because usually our bodies only deteriorate at high…
By BiancaDay 27 – (B’s POV)Climb up to 6810m
Today we climbed higher than camp 2, to help us acclimatise. Contrary to popular belief, it was very hot. I finally got to experience the “Western BBQ”. Once is enough I think. The sun reflects of the snow, becoming…
By Bianca
Day 28 – Down down
Sorry for the late post Today we went from camp 2 (6500m) all the way back down to base camp. We had breakfast at 5am and left soon after. It was very cold as the sun hadn’t hit so we wore a lot of layers and very heavy…
By Bianca
Days 29-31 – Resting
We flew from Lukla down to Kathmandu (1300m) – this is to rest from being at such high altitudes, and to regain strength before attempting the summit of Everest. Being here feels so crazy. I don’t want to mentally relax…
By BiancaDay 33 – back to base camp!!
Today we flew back to base camp!!! We waited for 6 hours in KTM airport but finally we managed to get a flight to Lukla and then luckily enough, from there we could fly to base camp! The altitude feels fine for me so…
By Bianca
Day 34 – Mum is at base camp!
Today is the long anticipated day that my mum would join my dad and I at Everest base camp! After breakfast I walked down to the famous Everest Base Camp “rock” and I got to meet her, along side Kerry, her good friend…
By Bianca
Day 35 – waiting…
Today we rested in base camp. At this point it’s just a waiting game until we can leave for our summit push. Trying to be as patient as possible. I feel like every day at base camp is the same but anyway here’s today.…
By BiancaDay 36 – base camp
More waiting around… I’m starting to feel the altitude taking a real toll on my body. After about a month spent above 5300m (with a few days at low altitude) my body feels very tired and exhausted. I feel constantly…
By Bianca
Day 37 – Base camp
Today I felt much better than the day before – which is good because I was getting worried that I would never get the energy back. I still feel tired, but I was able to easily go for a walk in the morning. Mum, Dad and…
By BiancaDay 38 – more base camp!!
Today was a very productive day because not only did I shower, I cleaned my tent and did some schoolwork! As I have said before, showering is a big deal. Because of the lack of oxygen, everything is, really. But…
By BiancaDay 39 – did a walk
This morning Mum, Dad and I all went for a short walk to the Everest base camp rock. I still feel a bit fatigued but I guess that’s normal and expected. The human body is not designed to live at 5300m so I guess it just…
By Bianca
Day 40 – frustrating times
This morning we made a short noticed decision to head up for our summit push that night. This was because the weather for the 19th looked very good. We immediately began packing and laying out gear. On our rotation we…
By BiancaDay 41 – second last base camp day?
Today was spent looking at the weather approximately 89473 times. We’re hoping to leave tomorrow night, which is at about 2am on the 18th. This would give us a summit date of the 22nd or 23rd of May. In the morning I…
By BiancaDay 42 – Summit push tonight
Tonight at 2am we will leave base camp for camp 1, with the aim of reaching the summit within the next week. Hoping for summit on the 22nd or 23rd. feeling pretty nervous but also excited!
By Bianca
Day 43 – Leaving for the Summit Push
Hi there – it’s Fiona here – Bianca’s mum! Well, their time finally came and Bianca and Paul left last night at about 2:30 for their summit push. Having said that, it will still be around 4-5 (or maybe more) days until…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Day 43 – Safe at Camp 1
I’m very happy to report that Bianca and Paul made it safely through the icefall and are now resting at Camp 1. The Icefall is one of the most dangerous parts of the climb as there are crevasses to cross, but more…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Day 44 – Camp 2
Hi all! Thanks for all your messages of support – both for Bianca and Paul and for me!! I’m happy to report that Bianca and Paul are now at Camp 2 – at approx 6500 metres. They left Camp 1 early this morning and arrived…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Day 45 – Bianca at Camp 3, Paul at Camp 2
Hi all! Sorry for the late post but it’s taken a while to get confirmation on what was happening. This morning Bianca and Paul both left Camp 2 and started heading up towards Camp 3. About 2/3 of the way there I heard…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Day 46 – Bianca Climbing Camp 3 → Camp 4
Hi all – Unfortunately I haven’t got an update from Bianca as yet. Her plan was to leave at 4:30am this morning. She has the tracker on her but either it’s not working or she’s forgotten to turn it on. The climbing…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Day 46 – Bianca at Camp 4!
Whoohoo! Confirmation that Bianca is now at Camp 4. This is approximately 8000 metres!!! I spoke to her on the radio just now and she sounded really good – said it was hard she made good time. Actually Paul and I were…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Summit Push Starting!
Bianca is planning to leave for the summit in at 6:30pm local time – about 5 minutes from when I’m publishing this! We had her on the radio earlier – I heard a little bit and she sounded good. But I could hear Paul at…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Delays due to weather
Just letting you know that Bianca hasn’t left Camp 4 yet as it is snowing and quite windy there at the moment. They are going to wait another hour or so to see if it improves, otherwise they might wait and try tomorrow…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Summit push delayed
Hi all – unfortunately, despite the positive weather forecast, the high winds and snow have continued and Bianca and the Sherpas have decided not to try for the summit tonight. She will go to sleep now and is hoping for…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Day 47 – Bianca Resting and Waiting at Camp 4 (8000m!)
As per yesterday’s update, Bianca made the decision not to push for the summit last night as the winds were strong and it was snowing hard at Camp 4. The radio was working between Camp 2 and Camp 4 and Paul was…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Summit Push Starting Now (v2)
Just spoke to Bianca on the radio and they are about about to start their climb to the summit. The radio quality wasn’t great but she sounded good and is ready to go. It’s still light now so they have about another hour…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Bianca is at the Balcony
We just heard through a broken up radio call that Bianca is at The Balcony. This is a milestone on the route up where there is a flat area and most people use this to swap over their oxygen bottles and maybe take a…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Bad Weather – Waiting at the Balcony
Paul’s been talking to Bianca on the radio. She’s concerned about the weather as it’s still very windy and snowing. They went up a bit higher but have now returned to the Balcony to wait abut and hope the weather…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Turning around because of weather
Unfortunately it seems that the weather is too bad and Bianca has made the decision to return to Camp 4.
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Back at Camp 4
Confirming Bianca is now back at camp 4. She radioed in and seems tired but otherwise ok.
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Exhausted!
Hi all, I’ve spoken to Bianca by radio and she is completely exhausted from the effort of last night. She got about halfway to the summit but had to turn back due to high winds. She was still out climbing for about 10…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Day 48 – Resting & Possibly Trying Again
Hi all, it’s been a difficult day here. Bianca is really exhausted, but also still doesn’t want to give up on her dream just yet. There are basically two options for her; Try again tonightThe weather might be similar…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Another Summit Attempt!
So after a lot of deliberation, Bianca decided to give that summit another shot tonight. She’s leaving later this time – about 10- 10:30pm. Actually they are leaving right now – 10:20pm. Hopefully the winds will be…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Turning Around
We’ve just heard by radio that Bianca has made the decision to turn back. Unfortunately the efforts of last night, combined with spending a fair bit of time up very high, have meant that she is totally depleted of…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Day 49 – Climbing from Camp 4 to Camp 2
I haven’t been able to speak to Bianca, yet but she is now on her way down to Camp 2 – where she’ll be reunited with Paul. I can see she’s now past camp 3 where she had a break – and it’s probably another hour or so to…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)Bianca with Paul at Camp 2
Hi all – just a quick update to let you know that Bianca climbed down from Camp 4 today and is now at Camp 2 with Paul and a few other climbers from our group. Paul messaged to say she seems ok – although very tired and…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Back Down to Basecamp !
Sorry for the late update here. I’m very happy to report that Bianca and Paul made it back down from Camp 2 and through the Icefall to Basecamp! I went out to meet them with Coke and fruit juice, and was so happy to see…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
All Now in Kathmandu
Sorry – I think there were some issues with blog yesterday, so here’s yesterday’s post in case you didn’t see it. As explained, we were advised to go down as Paul was really not well after walking down from camp 2.…
Posted by Fiona (Mum)
Leaving Nepal
Leaving Nepal now 🙁 We have been here for 57 days now. I’ve learnt so much and met so many incredible people. I’ve had the best experience of my life even though it didn’t end as successfully as I had hoped. I pushed…
By Bianca
June 2025
Summit push blogs from Bianca’s perspective – Camp 1 to 2
Today we got up early (4:40), packed all our stuff up and left to go to camp 2, at about 6:30. Because of the high altitude we are slow and need to catch our breath from doing anything. We began walking, at a steady…
By Bianca
Bianca’s perspective – camp 2 to 3 climb
Today started out tough as we had to carry our oxygen, and not use it. Plus wearing our down suits, and we got boiling hot. However after about 1 hour we could start using the oxygen. It was quite annoying because when…
By Bianca
Bianca’s perspective- camp 3 to 4
I am writing this at 8000m so bear with me. Today we started at 4:30am, well that was the plan but it was more like 5. There were some queues but they weren’t moving too slowly. I had oxygen on the whole way and omg…
By Bianca
Bianca’s perspective – waiting camp 4
Excuse any mistakes and poor writing I am at camp 4 with a foggy brain. We are waiting in camp 4 now at 8000m to hopefully leave in a couple of hours for the summit. I have so many mixed emotions. I am excited to get up…
By Bianca
Bianca’s perspective – day 2 at camp 4, my summit attempt
Hi there, I’m still at camp 4 now. It’s the 22nd of May. We were supposed to leave last night but it was too windy and we will go tonight. Feeling pretty ok so far, and really really making sure I eat a lot today. I had…
By Bianca
Bianca’s perspective- summit attempt
I didn’t write a blog for this day but I will write one now. So on the 22nd of May was when I attempted to summit (on the 23rd). We left camp 4 at 6:30pm. The climbing started out very hard, but over the years I’ve…
By Bianca
Photos from the icefall
Here are some pics from the famous Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous parts of the mountain. my last photo from the icefall – we took a break to take our crampons off. Dad was very sick and was getting his oxygen…
By Bianca
back in Australia – Post Everest hike
Woke up early and went to the Dandenongs (small mountain range near us in Australia). We know this place well as we trained here for 5 hours, pretty much every week for Everest and Manaslu (Sept 2024). It felt great to…
By Bianca
Photos from camp 1-3 on summit push!
Here are photos from camp 1-3 (6100m to 7100m) – after camp 2, was when I left dad. Walking to camp 2! Self care afternoon in Camp 2 6500m – we got there at about 9am to beat the heat so we had there whole day to rest…
By Bianca