Preparing for the Khumbu Icefalls

Puja ceremonies, the sounds of avalanches at night and icy obstacle courses. It's all happening on the hill.

On April 11, the climbing team celebrated another Puja ceremony at Base Camp, complete with Sherpa's singing & dancing while a Lama recites prayers, cymbals clashed, drums banged and drinks passed around. It's all part of the traditional request for safe passage and success, and without it the Sherpas refuse to climb beyond Base Camp. You can download a short clip courtesy of Adventure Consultants here. It sounds like Michael and his fellow climbers are quite relaxed amidst the intesity of snow wind squalls, the cold, the altitude and the sounds of avalanches at night!

Yesterday, April 12, saw Michael and the other climbers spend the morning organising their climbing equipment in preparation for training and the eventual steps up Everest beyond base camp. Some sherpas have started to carry loads to Camp 1 and Camp 2 in anticipation of the team's arrival in the next few days. Today, they organised their gear and tested themselves on an obstacle course at the base of the icefall.

The route Michael will take through the ice fall is a winding path of fixed ropes and ladder climbs and crossings. He should be able to hear the glacier creaking and cracking as they cross it repeatedly on journeys between Base Camp and Camp 1. Needless to say, training days like today's are vital for cultivating the focus required to climb the icefall safely.