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 the Khumbu Icefall (big glacier at the base of Everest). Soon enough, we said our goodbyes and they all set off 🙁
It felt very quiet without everyone, but it reminded of how great it was to share such incredible memories with all of these friends. Having a big group almost distracted me from the seriousness of the climb (in a good way of course), but when they left I snapped back to the reality of the big Everest climb.
I was now able to take a “shower”, which is just a bucket of hot water, but it was heavenly seeing as I had not showered in about 10 days 🙂
We have to shower in the mid-morning, when it is the warmest, so that we don’t freeze afterwards when our hair is wet. I laid down in my warm tent whilst my hair dried, played some music and I was relaxed and content. For the first time this trip, I felt a huge rush of excitement for the climb ahead!
Although I do have some fears of the mountain, especially within the icefall, my drive to climb and to push myself is much more overpowering and strong.
I went over to my friend Julia’s camp, and had coffee with her whilst we discussed our plans for rotations, and acclimatisation hikes. Everyone has different ideas and theories on ways to prepare for Everest beforehand, and on the mountain. It is a big topic of discussion amongst climbers, as everyone wants to be the most acclimatised, in the safest way possible.
