Tough few days, then return to Base Camp and hot showers!

The team are back at Base Camp for a rest after a gruelling couple of days. Two nights at Camp 1,  followed by a 5.00am wake-up call for the trek up to Camp 2 (at 6400 metres). Overnight stop at Camp 2, then all the way back down to Base for food, rest and hot showers. I understand there was a four-day storm forecast, so they will rest and see what weather the next few days bring.

These few pix give a flavour of the terrain en route to Camp 2.

Camp 1 when the team arrived in the snow

 

 Setting off from Camp 1 yesterday, with the entire Western Cwm visible 

and the Lhotse face and south col at the far end

 

 Typical upper ice fall terrain

 Giles crossing a four-ladder span crevasse on the way to Camp 1

Chris's tent at Camp 2 with the Lhotse face visible behind 

and the south col just out of site to the left