First up, no. I turned around at 8500 metres, just a few hundred metres from the summit, due to some early but very strong signs of HACE (high altitude cerebral oedema). Symptoms – double vision, vomiting, micro sleeps (whilst climbing!), falling and hallucinations (giant bats).
Back last night from yet another trip to the North col at 7000 metres. There wasn’t time to send a despatch before I went up (only because this *&^% internet hook-up is so unreliable). Funny how dependant you become on something you never had before…
We’ve been hearing stories of expedition’s cancelling on the south (Nepal) side of the mountain due to rock fall; a result of the very dry season. On our side however, the mountain conditions are ok. Our biggest issue is the wind.
Kathmandu Yes, its back to Everest time. Talk about deja vu. Same city, same hotel, same mountain, same objective. I'd better finish it this time or I'll run out of things to say. For the uninitiated, the plan is Everest…
Andrew will return to Mt Everest to complete his mission make a solo, oxygenless ascent of the Tibet side of the mountain. With a departure date of early April, you can follow his progress on the Live Despatches link.
Honoured again to be the Australia Day Ambassador to Marulan. It was fun day with great community events and awards for local citizens.
As a reward for more than 20 years dedication to mountaineering, Andrew was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on the Queens Birthday, June 2011. For further information see News article. In October he attended the medal presentation…
