Surreal it certainly is as I am talking with Matthew on the morning of his birthday from Everest Base Camp. But this is by no means an unexpected venue to be celebrating Matthews birthday. We both recall his 21st birthday when I thought a trip up Jacks Rake at Langdale in the Lake District would
On 24 April I left Base Camp for our next climb up with Rob and Becky. My alarm did not work on the morning so the planned 4.30 departure was somewhat delayed. Eventually I was woken up by Rob our Expedition Leader and once I collected all the gear together which I needed for the
I am writing this on the eve of my climb to Camp 1 and Camp 2 in the relative luxury of Everest Base Camp. As I have never been to the higher camps before I can only use loosely the word luxury at this stage as I am led to believe there are no comparable
Sunday morning and I am woken up at 5.00 am with an early morning call from none other than a herd of Yaks!! Yep Matthew decides to put these lovely animals on so I can hear their neck bells. This was in an effort to feel me the Nepalese mountain atmosphere so far removed from
It is great to be at Everest Base Camp amidst the most wonderful sight of the most difficult climb before us. My kit has finally arrived from Katmandu but I would hate to start wearing some clean pants at such an early stage in the expedition! We are all eating and more importantly remaining hydrated
As I hear my Mums voice say ‘are you nearly there yet’? It reminds me of the countless journeys that we embarked upon in the past when I subjected her to a similar question thousands of times. Was this repay or simple curiosity? I was happy to answer this time Yes I have arrived at
© Matthew Thornton
