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(Left) 18th May 6.47am The view from the top of the world looking down to Makalu(8462m). The world's 5th highest mountain.My climbing route runs from the saddle at the base of the ridge running right down to left.We cross the plateau known as the Makalu La and follow the defined ridge from left up to the summit on the right.
Hi everyone,
Well it's been awhile since my last dispatch. Currently I am in Australia preparing and training for the upcoming climbing seasonMy next expedition is to Makalu(8462m) located in Nepal. She is the world's 5th highest in the world and a mountain I have held close to my heart for some time now. In 2006 when I summitted Everest i stood on top of the world and looked down upon beautiful Makalu. Earlier that same day I had been witness to one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen in my life. As I gained the North East ridge in the early morning darkness,which would ultimately lead me to the summit of Everest. A lightning cloud sat over Makalu's lofty summit.
Every few minutes a flash of bright lightning would light up the mountain. The mountain could be seen as if lit up by a huge spotlight. IT is without a doubt the most beautiful thing I have ever seen but unfortunately due to the distance away, darkness and the extreme cold I was unable to document it with photo or film. It will stay looked away in my mind forever.
In 2006 I climbed Everest with a sherpa from the Makalu area. He had made me laugh with his comments on the North East ridge when he pointed out and showed me where is village was down in the valley below. At the time it was 2am, -25deg celcius and there was a 2000m drop vertical infront and behind us. And yet ther ehe was jumoing up and down like a little child beaming with pride that his village was down there far below us.
Every few minutes a flash of bright lightning would light up the mountain. The mountain could be seen as if lit up by a huge spotlight. IT is without a doubt the most beautiful thing I have ever seen but unfortunately due to the distance away, darkness and the extreme cold I was unable to document it with photo or film. It will stay looked away in my mind forever.
In 2006 I climbed Everest with a sherpa from the Makalu area. He had made me laugh with his comments on the North East ridge when he pointed out and showed me where is village was down in the valley below. At the time it was 2am, -25deg celcius and there was a 2000m drop vertical infront and behind us. And yet ther ehe was jumoing up and down like a little child beaming with pride that his village was down there far below us.
This year I will be climbing with close friend Tashi Lakpa sherpa. Tashi was suppose dto climb EVerest with me in 2006 but was committed to another expedition.Tashi is the youngest person to climb Everest without oxygen.Completing the task not once, but twice at the grand old age of 17 and 18 years old.Honestly without these guys none of us western climbers would ever have much chance to summit these huge 8000m peaks. The sherpa's are the real heroes of the Himalaya. And the rest of us pale in comparison,.
I am currently back in Australia training for my departure the start of April. I fly into Kathmandu and will pack and prepare for our departure by helicopter to Makalu base camp on 14th April. My plan is to fly up to our starting point a few days earlier and trek up to Namche Bazaar(3700m) and spend a few nights ther eto help my body acclimitise to the extreme altitude once again. The othe roption is to fly to Makalu base camp (4800m) and deal with the altitude there. Wher ethe risk of severa AMS(acute mountain sickness) or pulmonary and cerebral odeoma are a serious threat.
Until then take car eall and please stay tuned for more updates form as the expedition gets closer. thanks again for all your support.
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