Day 8

 We are in a tropical wave (apparently). Falling pressure (1030 to 1023 but now climbing again). Hence the consistently high wind speeds 20-30 knots, peaking at 37, and rather disturbed sea state. Should pass by tomorrow, our half way day mark which is already raising spirits. Not that they are low; everyone is remarkably upbeat and happy. 


Highlights of past 48hrs: two flying fish in cockpit, rapidly tossed back. Pancakes with lemon juice/Biscoff. Egg and bacon sandwiches (my cooking!). Tiny (dead) baby squid on deck. Sam going even faster at 11.8 knots. Emails reaching the blog! Sleeping well and enjoying Desert Island Discs, from my new JLab GO Air Sport wireless headphones from Gatwick for £25, as a 2pm treat!

Lows? Small cut to thumb (mine) from squashing a can. Almost dropping headtorch down loo ('heads') - me again. Some back pain last night from stooping at the helm I think, fortunately eased v quickly.

Temperature is slowly rising though still jumper and waterproofs at night. We have reached tropics, but it is going to get a lot warmer I am told, to the point of complaints! We enjoy the odd wet squall in the daytime: it softens the salty slightly itchy hair.

1646 miles to go!
Fair winds.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome!

Lockdown for me, two years ago, shaped ideas of sailing the Southern Ocean with Clipper, having barely set foot in a boat before.  Two years later, and with thanks to skippers' Pete, Kathy and two Pauls for their patience and teaching, I am crewing a 47ft yacht EH01 to Grenada instead.  I have crewed along the English South Coast and helmed at night in a storm in the Bay of Biscay so, perhaps, I have some idea of the adventure ahead - or maybe I don't? This first-time-for-me blog is for my family, friends, fellow sailors and intrigued patients. The link to follow the race will be LIVE once the race starts: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/tracking/2022-fleet-tracking.html Beyond the Atlantic is volunteering for me in Nepal and then climbing 6500m Mera Peak in March/April.  Welcome aboard!  Jeremy
Read more

FRIDAY

We depart at 0800 wary of the snow forecast tonight. A steady climb to ‘base camp’ at 5350m, where we change our boots to hired La Sportiva B3 climbing boots, which are light and excellent, and crampons. We then traverse the large glacier and climb up a relentless slope to High Camp at 5800m, arriving at 1430 as the snow clouds open (with a standing 15min lunch en route!)   My legs tire more quickly than the inevitable breathlessness of the high altitude. I am pausing every 50 paces for a 30 second rest during the last hour but this method carries me up steadily. The snow deepens for the last 100m and steps become two at a time!  High camp is a ‘rent a tent’ set up. But these tents are a harsh environment at 5800m with a modest mattress and single layer cover. The snow fall becomes heavy and I am advised to bash clear the falling snow every 10minutes!! 18-24 inches rapidly falls in a few hours meaning the planned 2am ascent will not happen. Tent service consists of noodle soup...
Read more

SATURDAY

I am soon ushered to look at the fabulous views in the clear morning air. We climb back up the sheltering slope behind our huge rocky outcrop. From there, there is a breathtaking view towards Mount Everest and the broad skyline of numerous other 7000-8840m peaks, including Lhotse and Makalu. To the right the valley is filled with low lying cloud and behind us the slope continues up towards the Mera Peaks.   More cloud, then snow, is predicted this afternoon and tonight. All tracks have disappeared and any direction will now take twice as much effort. So summiting is almost impossible today or tomorrow. We could climb further to 6000m this morning but we risk the weather preventing us then descending today. After discussion over breakfast we decide to descend in the morning sunshine - facing Mount Everest and the skyline of peaks as we do so.   We are often knee and sometimes thigh deep in the snow as we push through the snow, as our Sherpa guide recreates the ‘route’. We walk ...
Read more