(via Thuraya SMS)

Had diarrhea last night. Not nice getting out of tent to go into the darkness and -20 degree winds and snow outside for a freezing crap. No sleep at all last night. Felt very weak in the morning and got going at 830am – reached the campsite at 7600m on the top of the snow ridge that forms the North Ridge of Everest. Very hard work and physically – I almost gave up. I was on a low flow of oxygen – around half a litre per minute – which is sometimes used to aid climbers at altitudes above 7000m. However, right before the final section, had to crank up the flow to 1 litre p/min. Finally got to camp at 1350hrs.

I’ll be sleeping with the aid of oxygen tonight as it’s very important for me to get some rest. It’s amazing to be so high up on Everest. ABC and the tents on the Col look tiny from where I am way up here.

Not sure if I can make it to the top. The technical climbing is easy so far, but it’s just so tough physically. Keep those messages coming.  Axe – out

David’s note: Tomorrow, Grant will likely be climbing once again with the help of supplementary oxygen, at a higher flow, perhaps 1 -2 litres per minute, and the vertical distance from Camp 2 to Camp 3 (8300m) is just about 700 vertical metres  -so, this day is often seen as an ‘easier’ day compared to today. He will be traversing downward sloping slabby bits to get to his final campsite – often perched on small rocky ledges – before summit day on the 27th – weather permitting. camp 3 is in a very harsh, wind-raked place, and people spend minimal time here.