20th April – Note from David Lim – Acclimatisation Cycles

While you are waiting for Grunto’s next update; news just in that a veteran sherpa has collapsed and died at basecamp ( south side) is sobering that altitude sickness can strike anyone.  Grunto’s next acclimatisation cycle will probably involve them making a trudge up the moraine to the camp know as Intermediate Camp – usually around 5900m, a dreadful kind of place with lots of yak shit everywhere – but essential as a stop gap prior to push to Advance Basecamp at 6500m – one of the few places on Earth you can actually trek up that high witout climbing gear.  A cycle can take a few days, letting the body adjust. This is NOT his schedule, but a first cycle could be to go to Intermediate Camp, overnight there, and return; or push up someway to Advance Basecamp. Onthe 2nd cycle, a night at IC, then a push to ABC for a night or two there. On the 3rd cycle, to ABC, skipping IC altogether, then a few days at ABC involving a foray up to North Col ( 7000m). The 4th cycle is often the summit push