The expedition officially begins

< Newer | Older > Mon, 04/14/2008 - 12:18 — Mike Brennan

Today's puja ceremony,strangely moving and essential to complete before any of us go up the mountain In a way the expedition began offiicially today, as we had our "puja" ceremony this morning (alright, I admit I don't quite know how to spell it, but it's pronounced poo-jar!). This consists of a local lama chanting prayers and blessings for about two hours, throwing rice about periodically and drinking locally made beer. There are worse jobs...
Actually it's a lovely, informal process, with an underlying seriousness in view of the task ahead...or rather, above us.
I slept reasonably well last night, despite the cold, and felt well in myself this morning, with no headache, appetite fair. I noticed yesterday that when I moved one of my heavy,awkward bags from one end of camp to the other, I didn't keep collapsing in a breathless heap, as I suspect I usually would, so it seems I have reasonable acclimatisation thus far. A good start.

Tomorrow we are resting again, I think, and we will play in the lower icefall the day after. I feel very comfortable here, as I should I guess, but I have a really good feeling about things for this year's climb at the moment, which is very nice. Good karma?

There is big meeting today for team leaders with the military man who is overseeing the restrictions, and it is possible that blogging will be forbidden for a while, so bear with me if things dry up for a while!

Messages

Christine, Beryl and Graham,, what a surprise to hear from you, thank you for your interest. And don't worry, I'll NEVER drop anything into the "toilet" again!

NOW RAY WILL REPLY...and Greg will do most of tomorrow's blog, we think.

Ray

Claire and PaulThanks for keeping me up to date with the footie. Sounds like the 2 games against the smogs and skunks will decide who will finish top dog, who would have thought that a few month's ago eh? We will start playing in the icefall on Wednesday the fun begins then.

Jazz
Thanks for the update on the home front but remember the car's a polo not a ferrari!

Messages

Football & work

quayman — Mon, 04/14/2008 - 13:35

This message is for Ray...
Just to let you know that the Makems lost on Saturday 2-1 to Man city and the Mags drew 0-0 with Portsmouth. My football team didn't play but if we win our last 2 games we will win the league.
You had a phone call from NCR and I was telling the lad (Ken) you were away climbing Everest and he sent his best wishes from all from NCR.
Good luck and don't worry too much about work, its all going pear shaped with all the moves, so whats new eh.

Andrew

Hi Greg

Visitor — Mon, 04/14/2008 - 15:15

Glad to see everything is progressing really well,its been fantastic to be able to keep up to date with where you are etc,we are very proud of what you are doing,just stay safe and well, will continue to keep track of your journey,All our Love, Uncle David and Ann xxx

Base camp meeting

skress — Mon, 04/14/2008 - 16:57

Hi Mike,
My husband Scott (who is next door to you on the My Everest page) asked me to find you where you are in base camp so you can meet. You emailed back and forth before the expedition when he was supposed to be on the North side. I am not sure if it is easier for me to tell you where he is or for you to tell me where you are?? I will tell you he is at Kili Sherps's High Altitude Dreams Camp and his expedition is Mountain Professionals. He says they are located just below the ice fall. If it is easier let me know where you are and I can relate that to him. Myself and lots of our friends and famility are reading your blog as well and are really enjoying it. Be safe and if you meet Scott give him a hug for me!
Thanks, Susan

I'm so excited....

Visitor — Mon, 04/14/2008 - 17:34

Hi Mike. The excitement is really great now.....I can only imagine what you must be feeling as the big day approaches. I'm not religious but in my own 'spiritual' way I am praying for you every step of the way!!!
I would love to have seen you before you left (it was my intention but time flew by so quickly)........but I WILL see you on your return. ;-) ;-)
Good luck and enjoy her as you would every love of your life......with tenderness and respect! Jacq.XX

The hard work starts

Debs — Mon, 04/14/2008 - 20:21

from now.................. I am so glad you have arrived at base camp and are feeling fit and well, you sound on top of the world, hopefully in a few weeks to come you will be literally! The ceremory sounds as if it was very deep and meaningful and i know it always means alot to you. Glad to hear your eating this time, lets hope that lasts. Not much is happening here at the moment, a few of the girls from work (me included) are going out into town this Saturday for Sarah's hen night, should be a drunken girly night, glad to hear your managing to get some beer at bast camp! Thinking of you and have to say the updates are absolutely great, keep up the good work. Love to you all and take special care, will be in touch again soon.
PS. Did you get my text? xx

Hello Mike

rwilliams — Tue, 04/15/2008 - 11:16

It's just great to be able to follow your progress so closely. Well done so far and good luck to you ( and all the team) with the rest of the expedition. Will try to simulate a flavour of your trip by having rice and beer for our evening meal....we've already got the cold weather.
Best wishes,
Richard and Linda Williams

Ray

Visitor — Thu, 04/17/2008 - 11:44

Glad to read that everything is going well, the Etape training has started properly now with only four weeks to go! Colin is still like a monster going up the hills, I hope a few whiskies on the Saturday night will slow him down. Best wishes...Dave

Good Luck and Keep Safe

Caz — Thu, 04/17/2008 - 13:04

Hi Ray
Just read Mike's mail regarding communication, so hopefully you'll get this message before your equipment is gone. I'll be thinking of you while I'm watching Wear/Tyne derby on Sunday in the pub having copius amounts of wine!!!!!! We'll keep mailing anyway just incase you're allowed your stuff back. Jan and Pip are coming over at the weekend for supper and some spoiling. Good luck to you all luv Claire and Paul xxxx