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The sun disappeared behind a thick cloud and soon it started snowing. The long line of climbers moved slower and slower; as it was Milan's first time, he was going slow as well, helped out by Sherpa Pemba and myself, while Thomas went ahead, assisted by Pasang Sherpa. I did feel weaker again, but could still keep up with the slow pace..

At the back was our senior guide Nickolay Cherni, though 67 years old, one of the strongest men on the planet. A walking history of climbing, last year he guided our first group of clients to the summit (age 66!). The Sherpas lovingly call him 'Papa' and he will kick many people half his age's behind

In the end we all arrived at North Col, though especially Milan and Richard (Harris) were completely beat. But it was again an altitude record for Milan, he has reached his 'summit', congratulations

We were welcomed in the NC mess tent with plenty of hot drinks and warm food. ABC cook Dawa had joined us up as had Alex and Luda.

The next day Milan was feeling bad and stayed in his sleeping bag all day. Though my throat was very swollen and I had lost my voice, I wanted to take Thomas up as high as possible to prepare for the summitbid. We left with the 2 Sherpas and slowly climbed up through the howling wind. We met Lincoln, Mike and Christopher coming down quite early (Richard had not climbed up at all above NC, he coughed so hard, he had to go down early in the morning, just like Nickolay. Thomas and I continued, until the bottom of the last steep hill, 7400m. Though he could continue more, my throat was getting bad and I knew that the descent would take some time, so I decided to turn back. It did take quite some time to get back and we were both quite exhausted. Milan had not left his bag and was quite apathic, though he appeared elatively healthy.

The Ozzies went down, as did Alex and Luda, but Thomas, Milan & I opted for one more night and left the next morning. Milan was totally exhausted and I had to carefully help him down the ropes.

The surprise was great when first we met Dale from the Phillipines at the start of the glacier, apparantly going up for the summit (?), but right after we were greeted by Kevin, who also reached his altitude record, and filmed us right away!

We also met Vladimir Lande, our first teammate who is going for the summit with his Sherpa.

The following day it snowed all the way from ABC - BC which made for a strenous hike. My throat was definately infected and Doc Andrey supplied necessary Antibiotics, which I am taking now to prevent repeating of last years history, where I involuntarily amost brolke some high altitude timing records in a negative way...

The next day all groups reappeared from Zhangmu, Xigar & Tacshi Dzom, where they had rested. Everybody looked fit again, Noel & Lorenzo looked ready for the summit, both mentally as well as physically. The entire team 1 was postitive (so no Henrik & friends, people do not only get sick here, sometimes people also get better and will go up to ABC today.

Meanwhile we had ordered our jeep to Taschi, the charming small town at 4200m, where we met Alex, Maksim, Sergey (computerman) & Luda, who were enjoying one more pieced sheep.. we had dinner together and while they are already are back in BC, we will stay one more night and return teh 17th, together with the Ozzies, who are resting in Xigar. Hopefully my throat is a bit better, so we can go back up. And I mean UP

NB: Milan and Thomas ordered Rice with Chicken. Long after we thought that the meal was finihed, the chicken arrived, fresh and whole as could be. Not in one piece, but no piece was omitted...