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We rose early from the tents at camp 1 anxious to reach Camp 2 and 21,000 feet. Situated higher on the mountain, Camp 2 is much more expansive than camps 1, 3 and 4. It generally serves as a form of ‘advanced base camp’ providing some of the luxury that we became accustomed to at basecamp. Again, we have tents for the climbers with a separate, larger tent for us to gather, cook and eat in more comfort. We will stay at camp 2 for several days finding the time to make a trip up to camp 3 as we continue our acclimatization. 

It was an early departure from the comforts of basecamp as we rose at 3AM to climb through the icefall to Camp 1 with the Sherpas moving ahead of us to set up the camp. We arrived in good form and settled into Camp 1 to adjust to the altitude. The Sherpas continued on to Camp 2 carrying more of our equipment. Later that morning, the largest avalanche I’ve ever seen came off the face of Nuptse crashing down into the Western Cwm. The blast from the avalanche was strong enough to knock Nima, one of the Sherpas on our expedition, off the route into a crevasse.

 
It was a solid day of preparation for moving up the mountain! After bidding farewell to Anna, a Swedish trekker who joined our group for the past several days, we prepared for a climbing day tomorrow. We spent our time in camp organizing gear, clothing, food, snacks and equipment in preparation for our journey up through camp one and even higher on the mountain. With good weather, we will be at it early, moving up through the icefall and onto the glacier to the environs of camp 1 at over 20,000 feet.
 

Today has been a difficult day in the High Adventure Expeditions base camp as Nawal came to the decision that he will not be climbing Mount Everest this year. This morning, Nawal announced that he has decided to go home. After Nawal made his decision, Dendi worked hard wheeling and dealing and was able to arrange for a helicopter flight back to Lukkla, where Nawal will wait for his flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of us have spent our day coping with this news and his departure.

 
Today Amit and I took our fist steps above base camp on an acclimatization climb. After reaching our temporary camp one, we enjoyed some fantastic views of Everest’s North col and the Lhotse face before returning to basecamp. Camp one is generally situated around 20,000 feet, just above the icefall so it was an important day for us as we expose our bodies to thinner air.

 
Climbing on Mount Everest is a complicated balance of physical and psychological preparation. The extremes in temperature and altitude are matched by the emotional extremes climbers face as they push highter up the mountain. A comfortable basecamp can physically and pschologically prepare us for the difficulties we are sure to face at higher camps.

 
After a chilly night in camp, -13˚C / 9˚F we woke up to a much needed day of rest and recuperation and stayed around our basecamp. After several days of acclimatization hikes, icefall practice, and camp work, it was time to catch up on laundry and even take showers. While existing in an environment like Everest basecamp, the relaxation of a rest day seems that much more precious. Our Sherpas didn’t have the luxury of a rest day, however, as they completed yet another carry of equipment to camp 2.
 

 
In order to climb Mount Everest, we literally have to change our bodies. Over a period of weeks, through a complicated physiological process, our bodies gradually become more able to gather and distribute what little oxygen there is at these higher elevations. In order to take most advantage of this process we ‘climb high and sleep low’ to gradually expose our bodies to the thinner air but allow recuperative time sleeping at the lower elevation of basecamp.
 

Our climbers have been working hard on a training route established in the icefall. We have been crossing ladders, ascending ropes and abseiling (rappelling)— practicing for our travels up the mountain. It was hard work but the skills learned and practiced here will make our time on the mountain safer and more efficient. While we were training, the Sherpas made their second trip to camp 2 bringing another load of supplies up to 21,300 feet to establish a comfortable perch partway up Mount Everest.

Today was a day of change in base camp. After a mild, -9C / 15F night, we said farewell to our trekkers Charlotte and Paul as they left for their long walk home. Just outside basecamp, they were able to capture some final, stunning Everest photos before making their way down to Periche. We were joined by two new people as Anna, a trekker from Sweden, and Pasang, the daughter of the lodge in Monju, joined our camp. Anna will be staying in our camp for 6 nights as she experiences life in Everest Base camp in all its glory! Pasang intends to climb Everest!