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Report 5

The waiting game begins

6 May 2006

It's with great pleasure I can tell you that six of our sherpas went to the summit of Mount Everest last week in what is the earliest summit ever following the North route.

And this was just in preparing the mountain for us climbers by fixing ropes and setting up camps. It was an outstanding achievement which displayed their superhuman strength. My biggest and warmest congratulations go to them.

We have now finished our acclimatisation period, having slept another night at North Col. Everybody on our team made good times going up there, and this bodes well for the coming challenge that is rising literally in front of us.

We are now resting and refuelling back at Advanced Base Camp (ABC), waiting for the right weather window to appear. We will then head off for the summit bid.

Image of Mogens at ABC after further acclimatisation climbs.

Click for larger image

Now, the waiting game begins. This means time for thought, with feelings of joy, excitement, expectations, fear, anxiety and nervousness flowing through -  all ingredients that will be necessary to get me up and down safely.

When I do head off, my mental backpack will be filled with intense motivation and willpower mixed with 'humble pie' and huge respect for the mountain.

I go there on nature's terms and am fully aware that, in a sense, I must conquer myself and nothing else. Next time I sign in may be just before heading off. The plot thickens.

High spirits,

Mogens

8 April 2006:  Mogens arrives at Everest Base Camp.
Read Report 1

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

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