Today was a very big day. After a move yesterday from camp one to camp two, we were tired and weak. At dinner last night, we polled each member of the team individually to see if we were up for another push today to carry up to our high camp, camp three, also known as Piedras Blancas. That's a climb from 18,000 feet up to 19,600 feet.
This morning we awoke to beautiful sunshine although it was still cold. After assessing how our sleep (or lack thereof) went, our lead guide made a decision to carry today. The reason for his decision was based on the flexibility of being at our high camp and having the option to attempt a summit if the weather is just right. Although tired, we were excited to keep moving and get to the high camp. We set out around 10am, on a very good trail although it was steep at times. In general for our group, altitude is affecting each of us in a different way. Whether it's sleeping patterns being broken or difficulty breathing with our heavy packs on, the team showed great strength and we made it to the high camp over about 4 hours.
We dropped our heavy cache and had a quick lunch. There was a large thunder cloud in the adjacent valley and the concern was that it might come our way. In the end, it didn't, but it made us eat lunch quickly and set back down the trail, back down to camp two.
Over lunch at camp three, we remarked that for many of us, this is a personal best! Camp three, at 19,600 feet, is taller than Kilimanjaro in Africa and Elbrus in Russia. As a team we were impressed with our current progress and the moves we have accomplished from day to day.
We have not had a rest day since base camp and we are looking forward to one tomorrow. After our rest day, the goal is to move to camp three on Saturday. Tomorrow our lead guide will be checking the weather forecast because we are in a position to summit over the next couple of days. Although it won't change our rest day tomorrow, we will have a better idea of what the outlook will be over the next few days.
This will also be the last time we are carrying our heaviest packs. We have now gotten our heaviest gear up to our highest camp. From camp three, we will summit with relatively light packs of just warm clothes and come back down after summiting, back to camp three.
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Hi Gordon, I am Adair's cousin from Ohio. I have been reading the blog every day. It is SO interesting, but tell Adair that I have lots of questions to ask him when I see him. (For example: From the schedule, it appears as though you will make the descent in one day. That seems incredible.) Also, his dad is forwarding the emails almost every day. I am praying for safety for all of you. What an incredible experience!!! Please give Adair my best. Kathy
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