“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins – not through strength but by perseverence.” – H. Jackson Brown

Last time I wrote we were waiting at Base Camp for that elusive weather window – I suppose not much has changed in that sense. We still wait, and in relation to the above quote, we persevere, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!! Our forecasts come in daily, and it would appear as though the winds are dropping (as a result of a change of course of the jet stream) between the 23rd-26th May. This means that, in theory, we will depart for ABC and subsequently the summit on the 18th May. Today being the 14th means that the waiting should almost be over. I hope you all have your fingers crossed because if that weather window doesnt come then I will go insane here at Base Camp.

So what’s new? Well actually the last five days haven’t been that strenuous. Looking back…one of the other teams, run by Russians, had a party the other night. They managed to get some booze up here (I hasten to add I am still off it until that, hopefully, celebratory drink) which sent a few of my teammates over the edge but otherwise it was a really good evening and a chance to chat to the other teams. As much as anything else it means there will be some familiar faces on the route up – you never know whose help you may require.

I thought I would include a picture of one of our many epic games of Risk. As much as anything else I think the game deserves a bit of credit for the quantity of hours it has occupied here at Base Camp. As you can see here, all four warlords are contemplating their tactics for world domination.

The other day provided the greatest confrontation to date though. To start with we taught Max the rules of Poker which was all good and well. In the 2 practice games, played with cocktail sticks (1 chip), dried apricots (5 chips) and tea-bags (10 chips), he remarkably managed to come up trumps but come the real thing and the outcome was different. It came down to Steven vs. myself. As much as anything else, us both being there proved that the Scottish university systems must be doing something correct. (him having just graduated from Aberdeen and me being at St Andrews) Sadly Steven triumphed after about 90 mins of playing with just us but coming second meant I kept my $10 so it wasn’t all bad.

The other pic is of me on a walk today. 10 days of “rest” took it’s toll so I headed up a frozen river and then up and down some scree slopes to about 6000m for 5 hours or so. You can just make out Base Camp in the background and it’s scattering of tents that has become home away from home for the past 7 weeks.

Other than that, lots of reading, chatting, eating and sleeping – nothing new there. Musical debates still provide a good chunk of conversation. My insistence that “Bringing It All Back Home” by Bob Dylan is the greatest record ever made falls on deaf ears except for those of Brendan – you can always count on an Aussie. Quite a few guys are in their late 30′s now so, unfortunately for them in my eyes at least, are more partial to things like Guns n’ Roses & AC/DC – one has to feel for them.

I will keep you posted on how things are progressing pre-summit push and should write another post in a few days time.