Wish us luck.
We're going for it. All weather forecasts indicate our best chance is to stick to our plan of heading up tomorrow (saturday) to camp 2. We expect some snow showers on the way but Sunday should clear as we head…
Ready to go for it.
We are back in basecamp after climbing to 7400 metres to place our camp 3 on the Makalu La. Having climbed directly to camp 2, we spent the night there but Neil was unable to continue next morning as he…
Camp 2 established.
Since the last despatch we've been busy and enjoying the mountain. The day after the Puja ceremony we made our first foray up the hill to camp 1. The route is very direct, climbing steeply up some lateral moraine beside…
First days on the hill.
We arrived in Makalu basecamp 2 days ago and were greeted with the sight of several other expeditions on the mountain. Some of these had changed their plans from climbing in Tibet, due to the border closure. Basecamp is located…
Makalu at last!
Finally our Russian built MI17 helicopter has delivered us to our mountain. Our scheduled flight for the 16th was delayed until the 19th for any number of dubious reasons but on that day another team was flown into basecamp ahead…
Trouble in Tibet
Arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday and have prepared all my loads for the two expeditions - Makalu in Nepal and Shishapangma in Tibet. Unfortunately the civil unrest in Tibet has seen the border closed and may delay or even prevent…
Welcome to 2008
Hello All, 2008 is upon us and the pre-monsoon climbing season approaches quickly. On 15 March I shall depart Australia for the Himalaya, with a plan to attempt the last two 8000ers on my list to achieve the summits of…
Not this time.
Well I'm afraid there won't be a summit for me this season. The hoped for weather window hasn't arrived and the mountain remains shrouded in lenticular clouds, as strong winds blast over it and the temperature plummets ever lower. Our…
Not looking promising.
After returning from a night at camp 1 the day before yesterday, the latest forecast offers little hope for a summit attempt. Originally it indicated a chance on the 6th October but it now predicts 30+ knots (around 60 kph)…
Heavy weather
Well we are having to work hard to make any progress on the mountain this season. Once again the weather has treated us harshly. On our intended trip to camp 1, heavy conditions obliged us to stop at depot camp…