The Team
We are a truly international expedition and have more than one agenda. Two new zealanders, 2 usa, 6 uk, 2 scot, 1 hong kong, 2 swiss and 1 mexican. This includes 4 uk trekkers, 1 swiss trekker and the expedition leader with 3 professional climbing guides. Whilst the 6 climbers are clearly set on the summit, the trekking party have various goals of BC, ABC and the North Col.
Graham Hoyland of the BBC will be conducting a search for the body of Sandy Irvine and the camera loaned to Mallory in 1924 by Graham's great uncle Howard Somervill who was on that expedition. For more details on this Sandy Irvine search activity, since it is being conducted under the strictest secrecy, please see dispatches sent to www.bbc.co.uk
Kathmandu
Our arrival in Kathmandu was greeted by the familiar view of urban caos seen through a terracotta filter of dust in the hazy heat of the afternoon. Kathmandu is at once charming, smelly, noisy, exotic.....pandemonium.
An evening briefing by Russell in the "Red Onion" bar got things off to a good start. Team bonding over several beers is deemed essential to expedition success.
The following day is a "barrel day". To facilitate the safe transport of personal gear it is transferred into large plastic drums and then sealed up to go overland to base camp. Whilst the team comes in from the north east from Lhasa on an acclimatisation programme over a week.
Day 4
Time for team photo's and then a visit to some temples to soak up some Kathmandu culture. One of the temples is famous for its monkey's but they are outnumbered by beggars and hawkers.
April 1st - Day 5
Its a 5:00am start for an early flight to Lhasa. The early start would have been tolerable except that it is followed by a wait on the tarmac till 10:30ish. Once en route, as we approached Lhasa in Tibet it was found to be too dangerous to land. We fly on to Changdu in central China for a diabolical night of queueing, poor accommodation, bad food and trying to sleep to the strains of loud and distorted "Feelings" being sung by a very drunk official.
April 2nd - Day 6
The next spoken words accompany a thunderous knock on the door "get up, get up" in a bluebottle goon like voice and at 4:30am we are off again.
A mechanical failure on the first aircraft we board is no surprise and it only takes another 3 hours to get organised with another. What a relief to arrive in Lhasa!
Our acclimatisation begins here at 3700m and we are all expecting headaches later (some are already throwing up). I can't say the meal including chicken leg skin did much for my constiution.


Tony Kelly