And the BOYS are off...

Yes you heard me, after doing a 2 way radio to 2 way radio weather report, relaying the details. After about an hour of deliberation, Matt gave me a call back (9pm this evening) and told me that as it appears that the weather is only going to get worse. Both Jon and Matt have decided to leave their Porta-ledge within an hour and mission up tonight while they still have a chance of reasonable weather. The forecast for the 50 to 70mph winds is for Thursday and onwards... So far the nights have been fairly mellow, so hoping that the same applies tonight.

Best of luck to the boys... fingers crossed everyone.

David

Wind, wind and more wind.....

Been pretty blustery down here in BC. Infact it has been the strongest winds so far and the almighty wind gods might only be getting warmed up for the nights events. I look down to the other camps below and watch them all running around trying to secure their tents. Funnily enough that is exactly what I have been doing for the past hour. Securing all the tents, putting things away that might blow away... yeah the solar panels and all.. also been rebuilding things (well in fairness, I have been stealing snow bricks from Matt and Jons compound and using them to strengthen up the rest of camp..ie. my tent area.) My hands and face where being ice blasted a little while ago while getting the camera out and filming some insane wind.... totally numb!!!!!

While writing this, I got a call from Matt. Seems like wind wise it is not as bad up there, just getting little doses of spin drift blowing in now and again. But it might have something to do with being tucked away in the spot they have chosen, seems pretty sheltered. (See previous blog posting with picture, at least I hope the entry made it up successfully.... seems like loads of posts have not been successful, the satellite signal keeps dropping now and again without warning.

Anyway, although this wind, weather and climate is pretty hectic at times, I cant help but enjoy just sitting out in the elements being pelted by the wind and snow and feeling numb in my face and hands... and having a big grin on my face. Thinking, what an awesome job! Would not traid it for anything in the world.

David

FOUND THEM...

It was hard, but I am sure you can see why. A white porta-ledge on a snow back ground with cloud cover. Luckly had a break with the clouds... and was able to find them.

All thanks to my target shooting days when I was practicing to be a sniper.

Dave

5 Cool things about living on a glacier.

1. The 10 second rule does not apply... when you drop food on the floor you can pick it up in your own time (in a minute, an hour or a day) , lick off all the snow and eat the scrumptious little morsel.

2. No more vacuuming or sweeping...just let it melt.

3. You get to wear sunglasses 24/7... and that has to be cool.

4. You dont need a fridge or a freezer. The perfect location for a Fosters Beer advert... "Always best served chilled"

5. You can wear a black bag over your head and there is nobody around to take the piss out of you.

David

News Update

It is snowing again, phoned up for the weather and it definately does not seem like it is going to improve over the next 3 days. On Thursday onwards there are 50 to 70mph SE winds predicted at 14 000ft and above.... although we are not at this Altitude, Jon tells me that it will have a big effect in terms of blowing and dumping snow down on them on their decent down the North Face. Their hope is to be back in BC by Thursday, so lets hope things are good for a go tomorrow.

Otherwise, on the home front. It is currently dumping snow at a fair rate down here. but my solar charing system is a cable and a half away from my tent, so in the true spirit of laziness, I am currently sitting out in the snow, under a black bag typing this entry. Why a black bag you ask? Well...like I said... in the true spirit of laziness ;)

David

Height comparison

So I have been asked by Matt's dad to give him an idea as to how high this cliff really is... He seems to think he could walk up this monster of a cliff in an afternoon. He cant understand why they are taking so long. So I gave him some homework to find out how high a well known landmark is.... He came back with Nelson Column which is 51.5 meters. So I have overlayed that with the cliff to give you all an idea. Basically, where we walked up to the very base of the mountain before using skis where impractical and where we had to use crampons... It is some 80meters or so before you hit the ice above.... so think my Drawing of Lord Nelson "aka Jon on a stick" ...does do justice to the distance.... The top of the cliff is 1400 meters heigh.

David

Sitting Tight (Resend as only the picture rocked up) [Delayed Attachment: IMG_7352 marker_RS.jpg]

Delayed Attachment: IMG_7352 marker_RS.jpg