The penultimate stage is here...

< Newer | Older > Fri, 05/09/2008 - 11:01 — Mike Brennan

At last, the day after tomorrow, we'll be back threading our way through that icefall, fifth time this year, thirteenth overall! Who's counting?We intend to go up the mountain the day after tomorrow,sunday. Around 200 climbers apparently set off through the icefall today, including seven of our group....I'm glad I wasn't one of them really! Obviously everyone is keen to get going, keen for one of the earlier summit bids, keen to then go home, but a later slot will probably be quieter....a feature not to be underestimated. When I was nearly summitting in 2006, remember, there were only our team of five climbers plus a Sherpa each on the whole south side of the mountain....awesome. This must be a preferable state of affairs than, say, seventy people, with "queues"!!
So the rather aimless waiting is hopefully nearly over at last. It's almost been like a phoney war. The weather seems settled for the time being, and what REALLY matters now is the weather/wind pattern for the period around 24-25th May, which is likely to be the time we can summit. We only really have about a week to play with, and an unfortunate blip in the weather then will finish us off.
Do we feel lucky? Are those "mountain gods" looking in us favourably?
Lhama Geshi, what power might you have to help us complete our mission?!

I'm just starting to get a bit of a nervous feeling. This is not a bad thing.
I was edited out of "News at Ten" apparently, the Burmese disaster appeal shortening the programme etc etc. That fame is so elusive isn't it?
Musical download suggestion, I suggest you try "December Snow", from the album "December", yes, Moody Blues again, but it's just lovely!

Messages :

Harry,Sue and Christine C, thanks for the details of the Chinese torch success. It seems that clouds prevented the aerial filming/photos that they'd hoped to get from the circling jet(s). Shame.
Debs, what a ghastly experience for you and the family, life with young people can be such a worry. All's well now I hope, a few lessons painfully learnt?!

Replies fromRay

Dave Small
Hi Dave good to hear from you. Things are just about to start again with us going up to camp 3 starting Sunday. After that it's a matter of waiting for the weather, fingers crossed. It was strange walking the route from Lukla that we done in reverse in 1999. The lodges are much better than then, they even have indoor toilets now! It's good to see you are managing to do things again, I hope one day we will be able to climb together again. Love to the girls. Ray

Kevin Norman; hi matey, lovely to see your message, onwards and upwards for Mike, Ray and myself on Sunday, I feel that my time is getting close. Your words are very inspirational pal. See you soon, best wishes, Greg.

Mum and dad; thanks for your message, hope the blues finish off with a win against the bar codes! I have just had a glimpse of my beard in someone's mirror (i don't possess one myself) and give myself a shock, didn't recognise myself! It will have to come off after my summit bid. Love Greg xx.

Messages

Good luck!

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 11:51

Best of luck. We're all pulling for you. And as a fellow climber is her late 40's, I know you can do it!

Lexy von Peterffy

Be patient.....

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 12:45

Hi Mike
Back from Scotland....dogs covered in ticks (30 off one alone....yuk!)......and got well and truly lost in a forest going 'off-road'! Nice break though!
I can't imagine how you feel now as the big day(s) approach. I think all of us who are reading your great reports are feeling a tiny fraction of .....whatever it is!! I will be coming to see the photos....of that you can be sure.....see you in June!!
Have a 'virtual' hug!
Jacq.x

Hiya Greg

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 13:59

Well Greg,things are on the move again for you all.It has been really great to be able to follow everything that has been has been happening,appreciate all the effort that has been put in with the daily updates,its fantastic.So the best of luck for the rest of your journey we are all still rooting for you and the team for a successful summit,stay safe, All our love Ann and Uncle David xxx

Hey, that's my old school flag too.

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 14:39

Good luck to a fellow Old Albanian. That acclimatisation piece was first class! I'll be checking on to the site every day - watching your progress and willing you to the top and back down again. Good luck, mate.
Non nobis nati.

The time is nearly there!!

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 17:16

Hi Dr. Brennan,
Your reports are very interesting and I know a few of your patients (such as myself) look forward to hearing of your progress. I am sure the time will soon pass for you, as it seems as though you are really starting the "hard work" now. Wishing you great success.
From that "Elderly Parient" Sally B.

Hi Greg/Daddy

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 17:39

Whilst it is less worrying to think of you resting, we are happy that you are now getting your chance to progress up the mountain. We are usually camping this weekend- I wonder how base camp compares to our favourite spot on Home Farm? (Don't think Minx would like the cold!) Everything is fine at home and so many people send their regards it is too many to list. Missing you, but supporting you all the way. Make sure you all take care. We love you Daddy- from Heather and Elainexxx (and Minx x)

footie and faith

Ann T — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 18:07

well as you know now it's the premiership showdown this sunday, am hoping we whip some wigan bum, but they've had an ok track record with the 'big' teams this seasons drawing with both liverpool and chelsea. i'm sure i'll be gloating when we beat chelsea to the premiership title, even more so if we kick some blue chelsea bum in moscow later on this month... chelsea, bloody, chelsea... we never have a good track record with them. writing of gloating, just think of your poor f & f and co-workers when you return from everest... if you summit your ego will be larger than your self confessed 'medium sized' one and if you don't, well you'll be like a bear with a sore head to put it mildly i expect! you may be up there freezing your bits off, but it's us here, back in warm sunny blighty who will suffer when you return!! mind, that doesn't give you much of an incentive to come back home does it? particularly if you've got (hopfully) a gloating man u fan to work with!

you're doing really well mike, i'm glad that the pressure has now eased with the olympic torch. it can't have been easy to have such unsettling pressure surrounding your dream. as for summitting, as i've said before, it's all down to fate and luck in the end. you should be proud of what you have already achieved (this blog, for starters, is excellent and thie pics are fantastic!). keep your faith, keep focused and keep going! x

ps. other footie snooze; sven's on the verge of leaving city, keegan's on thin ice with newcastle and rooney's possibly out of the match on sunday from an injury he sustained in the man u v chelsea match

Release the hounds.

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 18:43

Hi Greg, looks like it's game on. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and all that good stuff. I have the upmost confidence that given the chance you achieve your dream. I had a dream once, it involved little furry woodland creatures,.... but that's a story for a future trip to the Alps or Pyrenees or even Corsica (GR 20 hot and dry).
Good luck mate and to all the team, I hope the weather holds out, and tell Mike he is already famous in a C list kind of way.
Si.

Hi Mike from sunny Hemel Hempstead

Visitor — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 19:18

Hi Mike!!
Well the three of us have been watching your progress with a great amount of admiration! We fully agree with Norman's comments and are behind you 100%! Keep up with the positive attitude and hopefully now that you have the chance to get moving again things will be a bit smoother for you and your team! Best of luck!
Lots of Love
Vanessa, Simon and Brandon!!

Baited Breath

Soosoo — Fri, 05/09/2008 - 20:49

Hi Ray & all,

Hoping and praying you reach your goal. Wud be great seeing as this is your special birthday year and I was born in 1953 (Hilary, Tensing and all that)perhaps this is a family omen?!!!!! Off to Barcelona in a few days, but will keep calling into internet cafe's to chart your progress and sampling a drink or two also - hee hee.
Take great care all.
Susan xxx

Good Luck Mike

Visitor — Sat, 05/10/2008 - 12:08

Hi Mike, I'm Fiona's mum and Paul's mother-in-law and this time last year I was at Base Camp with them both. It is an awesome experience to be there and it a memory that I will always treasure. I sent messages to Fiona and Paul over 2 climbing expeditions as they attempted the climb. I wish you all the best and hope that you are successful. It is a great challenge to attempt this climb and requires courage while you being exhilerated by the surrounds as you live your dream. Good luck, Margaret Harrington

barbi weather!

Visitor — Sat, 05/10/2008 - 18:22

Hi Greg

Paul< Jayne and Luke here, we like your beard! Mums here we're having barbi cos its hot, on tenter hooks waiting for next installment. We all wish you and the team well. Take care cheers mate (theres one waiting for you in the fridge)

All our love Barbie, Paul Jayne and Luke xxxx

Summit

Visitor — Sat, 05/10/2008 - 20:35

Hiya Greg and team

Heres hoping you are all safe and well and enjoy your dream....Its been along time coming, I was talking to a young Irish physiotherapist the other day and he mentioned about a guy climbing Everest who he used to have lectures with of course, you being so famous and all I had to admit it was you... He praised you and said you were "awsome" guy..You all are up there and Mike is like a mini celeb, Its like a soap opera keeping up with you all, by the way whats happened to Ruth.....(sorry Elaine couldnt resist).....

Take care ya all, and be safe

All our love,Jackie, John Jessica and Irene Awaiting your safe return Greg xxxxx

GAME ON

JOHWIL — Sat, 05/10/2008 - 23:00

I was crossing the Runcorn bridge when I heard on the wireless that that the Chinese had summitted. Congratulations to them -it's no mean feat despite how well prepared that they have been.
Game on for you all now.
Was pretty high myself last night - on top of the Anglican Cathedral enjoying a play which was part of the European Capital of culture programme.Not as high as yourselves of course but the view into the body of he church was similar to the view down a crevasse I imagine.
Good luck - we are all thinking and praying for you all.

John