The whole team are at camp 3. 8,300m. The launching spot for their summit bid.
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It was a huge day. It is cold. They are exhausted. I managed to talk to Jamie who is now hunkered down in a tent with Rolfe. Jamie sounded as if he was at sea level. He is on incredible form and delighted at being at 8,300m. Like the rest of the team, he is focused on warming up and resting.
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Camp 3 is a 30-degree snow slope with rocky exposed ledges on which our tents are perched. This camp serves only as a short resting point. You can’t linger at this height and doing anything as simple as crawling into your tent and taking off your crampons can be overwhelmingly exhausting. They are higher than all but 5 other mountains and the views are breath-taking.
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Rolfe is happy with the progress but sounded tired.
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The plan:
In a few hours’ time, Jamie will head out on the start of his summit bit. An hour later the rest of the team will start. We hope for a summit at 6am 23rd. (Nepal time). There is no question nerves are kicking in and families back home are becoming twitchy. Texts are pinging in and out and emotions at sea level are high.
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Go Team 360! Long night ahead.