Day 13. 21.9.07. Base Camp to Camp 1, 5483 m., 17,989 ft., East Rongbuk glacier.

Before we leave basecamp a monk from Rongbuk monastery performs a 'puja' a Buddhist ceremony to bless us, our expedition and our equipment.


While we are waiting for our yaks to arrive we are visited by Tim, Kunga (sirdar from last year) and Hugh & Clare.(Huge eclair)


On the way up we again visit the memorial site, specifically that of Peter Boardman & Joe Tasker who died in 1982 on the north-east ridge. Joe's girlfriend of those days wrote a book called 'Fragile Edge' and she asked Phil to place a sealed copy of it within the memorial. Phil also scattered some poppy seeds.


Camp 1 is a rocky, spartan kind of place but our tents and gear are excellent - as is the food prepared by Jumba, the cook.