Climbing

Photo Session from C1 and C2

The End

My rough day didn’t end as we got to Base Camp. My Sherpa was in such a pain and needed hospital treatment quickly. This wouldn’t have been a problem if there wasn’t for our driver, and how he refused to take him where he needed. I had to argue to make him realize he needed help. More problems seemed to lie ahead. Like the beginning of the expedition, we had problems crossing the border into Tibet. This time we had some problems as well. Bird flu is still a main concern in China, and everyone had to have their temperature checked to enter into Nepal. Of course my sick Sherpa didn’t pass the test, and for that reason caused major panic among the boarder control.
After some time, we made it to Katmandu and to the hospital. The doctor could confirm, stomach infection was the issue, and the treatment I had given was 100% correct.
Now, a few days later he is doing great and its good knowing he’s in good hands. I will now stay in Katmandu until May 19th, continuing working and analyzing my project. All the tests will then be sent to University College London and NTNU for further examination.
About a month have past since I left Katmandu. Since then my daily routines have been limited and I am therefore glad that I now can take a hot shower, trim my beard and charge my batteries for new challenges for years to come.

- Goodbye for now

P.S. I have also lost a few kilos.

A night in Hell...

I had only a few hours in heaven at 8000 MSL, before hell broke loose. Within a short period of time the weather changed dramatically. From being nothing but sun, we were now entering a horrible snowstorm. With low visibility it wasn't easy getting down. Things didn't get any better as I arrived back to Camp 1. Snow had gotten into my tent, making everything wet and frozen. My socks looked like a pair of snowballs as I woke up today cold, but harmless. I got my stuff together and moved down to ABC. My plan was to stay a night at ABC, but I was told that one of my Sherpa's down at Intermediate Camp had become ill, and needed medical aid. I have already sent two other sherpa's down ahead of me. Currently I am packing up and will be heading down to Intermediate Camp shortly.

Story to follow...

- When I arrived to Intermediate Camp I could ascertain that he had a stomach infection and would need hospital treatment. We therefore packed our stuff again an moved towards Base Camp. The moonlight lit the path on our way to Base Camp, and we are expected to be there in the morning hours.

8000 MSL…

Today I experienced one of the greatest moments in my life. At around 10:30 Norwegian time I was standing 8000 meter above sea level. An indescribable feeling went through me as I looked down at ABC and C1. Perfect temperature and a cloud less sky made the event even more perfect. I had to use additional oxygen at this height, and for that reason I could only stay above 8000 MSL for a short period of time. Now I'm back at C1 celebrating my personal triumph.

Can't get any better than this….

What's next... 8000MSL???

Today we made it to Camp 1 after a long and exhausting trek from ABC. The weather started out extremely good, but the closer we got to C1 the more awful it seamed to get. Intense snow made it difficult and challenging the last few hundred meters up to camp. The “Hamar til topps” expedition has been a big part of the project so far, and they have allowed me to do further research on them the higher we gets.
From what I have been told, the 2 guys from Kazakhstan are doing a lot better. They should now have been transported to a lower, more suitable, altitude, which should help them recover from the strain they went through.
Camp 1 is located at 7060 MSL, and here I will do most of my research. However, if the weather and my physical condition allow me to, I will try to reach higher, maybe as high as 8000 MSL.

Please visit www.hamartiltopps.no