Altitude: 5300m to 5600m
Atmospheric Pressure: 558mbar
Trek: 9km / 3Hrs 30mins
We were told that today would be used to decide the teams
for our next rotation on Lobuche. There isn’t enough room on the mountain to
set up 18 tents, so we will be going in 2 groups, 2 days apart. I’m hoping that
if I show good pace, I will be able to join the group of soldiers, with whom I
get on better (they’re English, and I know them from Manaslu).
So as we set off, I ‘m right on the heels of Adrian, and
soon we get to the base of Kala Patar, at 5200m, faced with the 400m ascent.
The path is very straight forward, no snow, and only some
big rocks as we got close to the top.
During the ascent, my heart rate never falls below 145bpm,
and I make it to the summit with Adrian,
and 15 minutes ahead of the next climber (Hector). The breathing was hard, but
nothing compare to what is to be expected when we get higher up.
The view from the top of Kala Patar is fantastic, this is
the most we’ve seen of Everest during this trip.
We can see all of the South col just below 8000m and Adrian
points out the Hilary Step, just below the summit. This mountain does really
look mean!!
We stay at the top for 30 mins, to get some acclimatization,
then head down at a similar pace, but cutting across the moraine and hills.
It’s good fun, and Adrian is still
pushing quite hard.
During the way back, we hear a loud noise, and soon spot the
avalanche taking place just above the ice fall, lower than where we will start,
but still, a reminder that those things happen!!
We finally make it back to Base Camp in 3hrs 30mins, just in
time for lunch.
I must say that after pushing that hard, I expect (deserve?)
a headache, but this was never to come!! Sometimes you just get lucky J.
It’s a good sign with regards to being acclimatised at 5300m.
Also, as we were coming down, the first in the group, we
heard a call on the radio from Russell to Monica (the expedition doctor),
asking her to come back to base camp as soon as possible.
As we return, we find out that one of the trekker, who had
been feeling bad for the last couple of days has taken a turn for the worst.
His rest heart rate is now 130bpm, 40DegC of fever, coupled with nausea and
diarrhea!! He’s even too weak to walk and has to get carried to the medical
tent by Purba Tashi, giving him a piggy back!!
He seems a little delirious, which could be the fever, but
Monica also suspect he has early stages of HACE (High Altitude Cerebral
Eodema), causing swelling of the brain.
He’s put on a saline drip, and on 2L/min of oxygen, which
seems to help.
Unfortunately, by the time Monica and Russ manage to get
hold of his insurance, to clear the rescue by helicopter, it’s too late in the
day and he will have to spend the night here, at 5300m!!
Monica and Russ will take turn by his side during the night,
to keep an eye on his condition and give him some more medicine.
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