Unlocking the secrets....

Yesterday the climbing team headed up to the snow line at 5100m to gain some height passing the remains of previous camp which included a large rusting gas cylinder slowing being eaten and returned to the earth.  Other items included a large jar that Nick has snagged as a pee bottle so he doesn't have to get out of his tent at night and a most puzzling arrangement of 3 padlocks that were deliberately left on a flat rock.  Perhaps they were placed as a metaphor, and each of the three locks represents the three climbers and we are here to unlock the secrets of Annapurna 3.

Pictures: Annapurna 3, Matt's Birthday cake, the Trip Hazard aka David Reeves.  All photos taken on a Samsung NX10.

Matt celebrated his 30^th birthday at base camp yesterday and Buddhi baked a surprise Birthday cake which is pretty incredible given that we are at 4600m and Buhddhi only has two Primus stoves to cook on! 

David Reeves the camera man who I'm sure won't mind me saying is not waif, stated before flying in that he would like to lose a tad of weight. Well we are happy to say his A3 diet is on track with projectile vomiting and a lack of appetite. David has even slowed down on the filming and is seen lying prone in various around BC, causing a trip hazard!

Ed Douglas left BC this morning by taking the Dynasty Air express taxi out.  It was a big relief for Ed as he has several deadlines to meet. Needless to say we had loads of empathy with Ed's situation, and at no time did we suggest that Ed may be stuck for a long time. In the end, the chopper whizzed in early doors, snow clouds billowed and cut a furrow while we dived to zip tents. The mountain soundtrack we have already become accustomed was swallowed with thudding and in a shot the paparratzi was whisked away. Ed texted us an hour and a half later informing that java cappuccino was being relished. Hmm, me thinks Ed got his own back for the never getting out quips!

Weather seems to have settled into a bit of a routine, clear cold, the cloud build up  and a smattering of snow. Tonight the smattering appears to be a little more persistent.

Tomorrow we plan to recce the approach and possible entry onto the SE Ridge, once this has been done we can see even if it possible to access the ridge and start to make a plan.

Shock Horror - Helliker Turns 30

A wee birdie tells me Mr Helliker turns 30 today and he's been trying to keep it quiet.  I've attached a link to his video camera thoughts about turning 30 whilst at Base Camp.  It's probably better the 'older members' of the team don't see it. 

I'm going to text the sat phone to spill the beans and get the boys to get Bhudi to bake him a cake, even though he'd probably prefer a Birthday Maximuscle shake!

http://www.youtube.com/v/RxP2-Cjh_f4?hl=en&fs=1

A3 Team arrive at base camp

After a wild helicopter flight somewhat reminiscent of a Vietnam war film, flitting and twisting in the deep walls of the Seti Khola gorge, the team including Ed Douglas and David the cameraman have arrived at their chosen BC without any mishap. The Base Camp, in the end was the higher of the two possible choices at a height of 4600m situated at a large gassy flattening with stunning views of Annapurna 3, 4 and the sacred peak of Machhapuchher. 

 

Pemba the Air Dynasty pilot did an amazing job ferrying 7 people and a tonne of food and equipment up to base camp which had to be done in stages, decreasing the helicopter weight as higher elevations were gained.  The views from the helicopter were stunning, first passing over the fertile and lush farmland north of Pokhara, then climbing up into the deep Sehti Khola gorge where the first drop of weight was made.  Weighing less, Pemba could then fly the helicopter up even higher to recce the various base camp locations that had been spotted on Google Earth and at one point took the B2 to 5400m flying close to the SE ridge of Annapurna 3 before we settled on a great base camp at 4600m.  Pemba made 7 drops at the base camp from the intermediate drop zone before high tailing back to Pokhara as the cloud had started to bubble up. Over here the clouds have big rocks in them! 

 

 

Pemba landing at the Annapurna 3 base camp

 

Going straight from 800m to 4600m is not an ideal way to acclimatize and I personally wouldn't recommend it, it hurts, but everyone is now slowly getting used to the lack of oxygen, and the suffering is good practice for the BIG suffering to come.

 

The next few days will be spent taking it easy and slowing learning and observing the character of the mountain to develop a cunning plan to climb Annapurna 3.  In the mean time Bhudi the cook will be keeping us well fed with his fantastic food.

 

Pete

 

Machhapuchher at dawn from base camp

 

 

Advanced Team at Base Camp!!

Report from Pete sent by text:

"Weather Good.  Three runs to intermediate drop zone with an advanced team already at base camp!!  Rest of team and equipment to follow."

I'll keep you updated as I receive more communication.  Laura

A3 team are airborne!

The team have now mobilised to Pokhara and the weather is looking good for flying into base camp tomorrow (Thursday).

The Air Dynasty helicopter flight from Kathmandu was going pretty smoothly until there was a loud bang at the back of the cabin which caused some concern to the occupants in the cheap seats at the back.  After some worried looks, the source of the noise was found to be a bungee cord which had come loose and shot across the cabin and was trying to make a break for freedom through the window.

Pete riding up front

The boys after the bungee incident

Just before landing at Pokhara airport, Pemba showed off his piloting skills by diving into a deep gorge, tracking the Eurocopter B2 along the meandering river at 80 mph before smoothly landing at the airport much to the delight and horror of the passengers.

Unfortunately the afternoon cloud was obstructing the mountains, so we will have to wait another day to see Annapurna 3.

Dave has been busy strapping numerous Samsung video cameras to the helicopter so we should be able to get some awesome shots, and if we have time, Pemba has agreed to fly as close and as high to our objective which will be extremely useful for determine our climbing strategy and getting an idea of the conditions on the route.  

The master technician at work - Dave

 The plan tomorrow is to ferry the equipment and people (4 runs) up to an intermediate drop zone and from there drop some weight in order to get into our base camp which could be as high as 4800m if you believe Google Earth.

It is a clear night in Pokhara so here is hoping....

Nepal from the air

Pete

Satellite Test Blog from Kathmandu

The team has made significant progress from their previous effort by actually all managing to turn up in Kathmandu safe and sound with all the gear and we have spent the last 2 days unpacking and re packing, testing and re testing and going though all the necessary paperwork at the Ministry - we now have a permit.

 

We met with Liz Hawley the collator of the Himalayan database which is an authoritative database of every Expedition in Nepal who required us to fill in her forms for this years entry.

 

We met with Pemba the Air Dynasty helicopter pilot today to finalise the drop zone for BC with the help of Google Earth and there appear to be two options for Base Camp which Pemba spotted on a recce mission a few days ago and the call will be made as to which location on the first flight in.

 

Climbing team members, Dave Reeves the cameraman and Ed Douglas the Journalist will all fly to Porkhara by Chopper tomorrow afternoon, then if all goes well will fly to BC on Thursday morning. So keep everything crossed for us.

 

The Team

Its official, no reccy.

Ian is back in Kathmandu after 2 days of waiting for a clear spell in Pokhara with the Air dynasty crew. To quote Ian, "The weather would be ok for climbing, but its certainly not good enough to take a chopper into an enclosed area". So thats it, no reccy.

Can hardly wait to fly!