Some News and more photos

Have heard from one of the Austrian teams wifes that Sandy and Rick were still on their way up yesterday. She has confirmed that three people made the summit yesterday. One member (from the Austrian team led by Gerfried Goschl) and two from, I think, the Korean teams. This includes Miss Go, whom I am told, has now climbed all the peaks over 8000m.

No News..some photos though!

Some photos, showing the way in...or out! Courtesy of Ed and Sandy. Apologies that they are not in chronological order!

GOING UP!

A phone call today. The weather forecast for Nanga Parbat is good...for the next week!!!

This is an opportunity!

Rick and Sandy are going to see how things progress in the hope that they can attempt the summit. They plan to stay a night at each of the Camps (despite the fact that C3 and 4 have still to be established!). All the climbers (Austrian and Korean teams) are going to have a go so they won't be short of company!!

So, now we have to be patient...I was told not to expect any communications until Sunday or Monday!!

PS I will post some photos over the next few days.

Family Celebrations!!

As one person in the family attempts his mountain, his daughter suceeds and celebrates. Here, H communicates with Sandy during her graduation ceremony at Edinburgh University having achieved a BA(Hons) in International Business.


Smiling Sisters! Ace eh! Cool eh! Mega Congratulations!!!

Back at Base Camp

Phone call to say that everyone is back at BC. They went to Camp 2 but after a big snow fall last night it was decided to return. A pretty epic time coming back with over a foot of fresh snow. Some tents damaged at BC but all OK. Forecast is not good but it should clear again by Sunday or Monday when a second attempt will be made to reach Camp 3.

Some vital statistics:
Base Camp 4250m
Camp 1 4860 m
Camp 2 6025 m
Camp 3 6500 or 6750 m
Camp 4 7150 m

And so to the tennis. Film crews here in Dunblane again today, displays of good wishes in shops, banners flying and tennis strips hanging out of windows. An exciting day that ended in a down hearted evening.

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

Happy Days

No phone calls today! So, thought I could use this lull in communications to add some recent photos .

Sandy on fixed ropes somewhere between Camp1 and 2 (l00k at that view!).

Mr Stoats Man decided to head down the valley with Ed and ended up having an ace party with none other than the Mango King!!!

He's now said his goodbyes and is back in the snow and ice of BC. Life is great for the high altitude energy bar!

Going Up Again!

Super phone call from Sandy today. He's sounding good! Saying hello to everyone. They have had a huge amount of snow. However, it was clearing last night so Rick and some of the Austrian team decided to go up the mountain. Sandy stayed at BC waiting for the snow to consolidate. Watched a huge avalanche come down the couloir. Everyone OK, but they apparently decided to stay at Camp 1 today!

Sandy was planning to leave BC with two high altitude porters today and meet the others at Camp 1. He would stay the night there. The forecast for the next couple of days is good so they hope to try and establish Camp 3, fixing more ropes as they go. Pleased that the TNT "late" gear has arrived as after borrowing equipment for Camp 2 they now have their own gear for future camps.

A special mention that the Mountain Equipment gear is performing well as are the Primus Stoves, all coming into their elements as things get serious.

Mr Stoats man chilling!