The usual clear blue sky this morning finally prompted Ray, Greg and me to retrace our steps up to Pumori ABC. We needed the exercise as much as a change of scene, and it was good to go up to 5700m again. As we didn't leave until 10.15, it was a little cloudier than two weeks ago when we arrived at 12.15, but it was still a great view of the mountain. Though we completed the ascent in better time than before, I'm not sure that I felt any better in myself going up, because we were moving quicker, if you see what I mean...the recurring problem of altitude climbing!
My throat was made more sore with all the extra breathing effort, but I just have to live with that sort of discomfort now.

Apparently the BBC or similar say the Chinese have NOW picked their elite team of 36 climbers (from 50)...still at their ABC. That's .....er....great then.
Still no summit. We are all just hoping/praying that we are really allowed to start moving up and establishing the route above camp two from the 10th as promised...or will there be more disappointment??

Messages:

Paul, thanks very much for the synopsis from the web of some Everest sites. There seem to be some gloomy and angry climbers posting, that's for sure! We are trying to keep positive ourselves, we know the available time is being eroded potentially, but we must harbour all our energies for later and avoid destructive lines of thought. Easier said,maybe....and the phone credit's all sorted thanks!
Bill, glad there's some coverage of our dilemma on the news at least. We feel pretty hard done by ourselves, hopes and dreams evapourating potentially etc etc, all for the Olympic spirit and all that, bringing peoples together. Hmmmm.

Messages from Ray

Maria and Owen
Thanks for the message guy's. Glad you enjoyed Disney Owen, I bet it was more fun than being here. Things are still very quiet and will be for at least a few days until we can move up to camp 3. I've got lot's of photo's to bore you with when I get back.

John Winter
Hi John, good to hear from you. There's no problem if you want to send messages. As you have probably gathered from the site things are quiet until we can move back up the mountain. We have all got our fingers crossed that things turn to normal on the 10th and then we can set about getting ready for our summit attempt. I hope Karen and family are all well. Looking forward to a beer when I get back.

From Greg:

Mum and dad, thanks for your message, do Everton play Chelski on Saturday? hope they win but I guess a lot is at stake...we climbed to Pumori ABC again today for some exercise, great views of Everest again. We are all fit and well, hope you are too, keep in touch, love Greg x.

John W., thanks for your message, we hope to be on the move again soon, within the next few days we should move up to camp two, and then push up to camp three before descending again before our summit attempt. Hopefully this will coincide with a favorable weather window! Good to hear about your Llanberis tale, I look forward to visiting there again on my return. Best wishes, Greg.