Funny old day today, but pleasant and very interesting for sure. Most of the team have now gone down valley, as far as Pangboche at around 4000m. This leaves the four of us and Kenton Cool, who's here to "guide" Ran on the mountain, but his charge has descended without him for now.
Kenton is undoubtedly in the upper echelon of worldwide mountaineers, but you'd never really guess that on initial acquaintance. He's around six feet tall, very lean, quite quiet in manner generally, and polite with us mere mortals. He naturally has a great repository of stories. He's summitted here five times, a British record, twice in a week last year. He has set up his own guiding company, "Dream Guides", and is recently engaged, and well smitten too!
Life is on the up and up for him, and it couldn't be happeningto a nicer chap as far as I can see!
I tell you this because since breakfast this morning we've all been sitting in the mess tent just talking and putting the world to rights, ALL DAY. There was one diversion, down to the bakery for some of that delicious apple pie!
It's been great to listen to this man, now a qualified mountain guide, and at the peak of his powers, about which he seems so modest. Perhaps in him I see what I would have liked to be, somehow, BUT DON'T TELL HIM, he already seems to think I'm gay!

We will probably go down ourselves tomorrow, though Ray in particular is not keen on doing so and I'm not perhaps sure myself now. Normally, one would go down after one has been up towards camp three and wants some recovery before a final summit push. We wouldn't do both.

We will sleep on it I suspect.

What about that back?

You might well wonder what's happening to this bad back of mine, which I claim has limited my ability to train hard for the climb etc etc! Well, like 2006, I've so far had minor problems only, leaving me unsure as to why I'm getting away with it. I wonder if the act of sitting for so long at a desk/computer at work is a bigger culprit than anything? Clambering in and out of a small tent, sleeping on firm/rocky/icey ground, carrying a moderately heavy pack, these things don't seem to bother it much at all. All very strange, but I'm very aware that a brief moment of awkward dragging of a rucsac, or movement of a rock around camp could set me off badly, so I haven't stopped thinking about back care yet.
The rocky seats at ABC were too unsupportive for me to sit for long, but I wasn't alone in that.I got some sciatica in one leg on the first night, I'm sure from the seating, but that has gone away quickly!
So one less thing to go wrong so far.
Wonderful.

Messages

Well done Man Utd for getting through to the Champion's League final...I didn't hear it, and whoever plans the BBC World Service listings should be shot! Liverpool try to join them tonight, and text's to "Paul's" phone about the score will be gratefully received!!!
Ruth, I thought he was BARRY bear girl, you've confused me now...he'll be having an identity crisis. Of course, I'm trying to keep as safe as I can here, don't worry. I'm very cautious, it's why I don't summit much,but keep coming home!
Jill, you are wise not to be here, I agree. Keep warm at home. Glad you are enjoying the blog so far.
Mike and Janice, fancy seeing you here! I'm doing fine, and I look forward to seeing you soon, as that means it's all over one way or another for me.
Ian, have a great time in the Picos, and I hope when you return on the 17th I'm nearly ready to try for the top. I'm trying to prepare for a later date though.
Ann, I hope to keep you interested for a while yet, and I'm honoured that Jason is involved too.
Hey, it's not SUCH a surprise is it, I'm not completely past it ?!!
Tom, thanks so much for that email. It's better to text me with the score, not email on it's own really, the latter isn't very practical to dip into, especially in the middle ofmy night....COLD!

Responses from Ray

Gaz
Just got your message today, thanks for the footie update. Not sure what you mean "put up with me 24/7" but i'll think of a way to get you back on my return. I'm sure MM owes me some favours!

Jazz & Mel
Things have turned quiet now as we wait for a date to go to camp 3. Until then we wait, eat, play cards and sometimes have a wash. It's a hard life. Hope the car is still ok?

The Lambs
Hi Guy's, thanks for the message. I forgot it is a bank holiday this weekend , but it does not matter out here. Just give John some time off at least, that's a beer you owe me John.
Take care Ray.