Hi Everyone

This is Sarah, Angus' wife, once more posting for Angus. I just got off the phone with Angus. He was phoning from the Nepali Army tent.  The team heads up to Camp 1 on Friday April 25th and then from Camp 1 to Camp 2 at 6500m. At this point, they can't climb any higher than Camp 2 due to restrictions. Once the Chinese torch relay team has summitted, then the ropes will be fixed above Camp 2 and the teams can progress to Camp 3 at 7200m. So, understandably, they are all QUITE KEEN for the Chinese to summit as soon as possible! Angus has calculated that he will spend more time in base camp than actually climbing due to the restrictions and resulting slow downs. Their biggest concern is that the restrictions have caused delays in the establishment of the route and in their acclimatization schedule. Another concern is that the weather, which has been great so far, will almost inevitably turn sooner than later as it has been such a long spell of good weather. Once the bad weather comes in, their progress will be slowed even more. So, it is definitely a different year on Mt. Everest with it's own unique challenges, apart from the normal challenges that exist.

What are they doing all day? Well...they are reading alot, eating alot and trying to keep fit by going on day hikes etc. in order to maintain their acclimatization. I think they have been doing some socializing as well...Angus did mention something about a birthday celebration for a fellow climber last night that involved whisky!

Angus and his teammates are healthy and feeling good - they are just impatient to get going. Once again, he thanks everyone for their support, words of encouragement and posts. Keep it coming!

Okay - that's all for now. I expect to hear from Angus again in a week's time, when he is back from Camp 2. I will send updates as I get them.

Sarah Wiley