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Report 1

8 April 2006

Sunshiny greetings to all from "the end of the world" or, more precisely, Everest Base Camp (BC), Tibet, at 5,200m above sea level.

Yesterday I finally arrived at BC after a journey from Kathmandu on a bicycle that went a bit off-track. The first couple of days went well and I was enjoying the ride immensely with sunshine, green valleys and roaring rivers.

However, my body started to malfunction. On day two, going from the border of Kodari at 1,800m to Nyalam in Tibet at 3,780m, my energy levels were falling by the minute, leaving me totally fatigued.

After two days trying to recover in Nyalam, I started out on the 150km trip to Tingri, the last town before BC. I soon realised there was no way I could do this - I was almost falling off the bike. You don't cycle into 5,200m while ill, so I climbed into a vehicle and finished the last stage on four wheels instead of two.

I'm not that disappointed since the main focus is Mount Everest. And in any case I know I can do the ride because I did it this time last year. I have now finished my antibiotics course and have returned to full fitness.

It feels so good to be back on Everest. It almost feels like my second home. And it fitted perfectly that the rest of the expedition arrived at BC almost the same time as me.

Adding climbers, sherpas and a Discovery Channel crew, the expedition totals more than 50 people. We all settled into our tents, creating our home for the next two months. The sherpas had arrived before us and have done a tremendous job setting up most of the camp. These guys are really impressive and work so hard.

During the first few days, we were more or less "grounded" and not allowed to exercise. Acclimatisation has to be very conservative otherwise mountain sickness can occur so quickly. We have to gradually adjust to the altitude with its low pressure and oxygen deprivation.

This initial period is always tough and we all suffer from the effects of this high altitude. The normal symptoms are headaches, insomnia, diarrhoea, light-headedness and loss of appetite, but as you adjust the problems diminish and hopefully disappear.

The plan for us in the coming week is to gradually start going on small acclimatisation treks by climbing to about 5,900m. This will start telling the body to prepare itself for going higher.

Next Saturday, probably, we will all be preparing to drag our bodies the 23km up the zig-zag East Rongbuk moraine to Advanced Base Camp (ABC) at 6,400m. ABC is actually the real base camp for us because it is at the foot of Everest.

Signing off from BC Everest.

Mogens

14 April 2006:  Puja blessings and the readying for the climb.
Read Report 2

24 April 2006:  At the foot of "Big E" - Advanced Base Camp.
Read Report 3

29 April 2006:  On fire for the fight of each step.
Read Report 4

6 May 2006:  The waiting game begins.
Read Report 5

9 May 2006:  It's a go: I'm heading for summit.
Read Report 6

15 May 2006: My best shot - but I did not reach the summit.
Read Report 7

22 May 2006: I'm off on another summit bid.
Read Report 8

27 May 2006: A bolt of lightning – and I plod down the hill again.
Read Report 9

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