RODNEY HOGG

Just back from Climbing Mount Rainier in America

Pleased to report that I reached the summit of Mt Everest and put Pudsey on top of the world at 06.40 on Saturday 21st May after setting of from camp 3 at 9.10pm on the 20th. After summiting I made my way safely down to the North Col arriving at 6pm where I spent the night recuperating. This morning I made my way down to the safety of ABC. One of the longest and strenuous climbs I have done and I am now rehydrating but still can’t face the sight of food. All other team members are now safely down at ABC. Thanks for all your support and I am now looking forward to getting back home.

News from the Chinese

With the weather window of low winds and minimum precipitation still forecast for 19th, 20th and 21st May the Chinese have now confirmed that they will go up to finish putting in the fixed ropes on the 19th and 20th. This is not an ideal situation as it leaves us with a weather window of one day to go up to the summit on the 21st. With the weather forecast predicting high winds after the 21st and no other window yet identified this means that all teams on the North side will be looking to summit on this day. To have in excess of 100 climbers and Sherpas at one time all heading to the summit on the same day is not an ideal situation, so our timing and strategy is going to have to be worked out carefully in order to avoid queue and delays.

With this latest information from the Chinese and I will believe it when I see it actually put into action, the plan is to leave ABC tomorrow morning 18th, and head up to the North Col to camp 1, the following day we will start with supplementary oxygen and head up to camp 2 at an altitude of 7600m. The following morning we will set out early to get to camp 3 and rest before departing some time before midnight for the summit push. All going well I hope to reach the summit on the morning of 21st.

So as long as the Chinese stick to their plan and all going well I hope there are no further delays and I can get Pudsey to t top of the world. Thanks for everyone’s support and kind messages, look forward to updating you all once I get down safely.

Surprise surprise yet another delay. Arrived at ABC yesterday to find our team 1 had not progressed up the mountain. This is because the Chinese have not finished putting in the fixed lines and it would be too dangerous to climb without fixed lines. They are saying that they are not likely to start finishing them off until the 18th and would need 3 days to finish putting them in. With nearly all the expeditions now in ABC anxiously waiting to go up and a weather window now looking at being the 18th to 21st (4 days)that would mean over a hundred people attempting to summit on the 20/21th May when the lines should be in place, not an ideal situation but the Chinese will not budge. So we will just have to wait around and hope that they stick to their plan, the annoying thing is every day you spend up at this altitude of 6400m your body is detraining and getting weaker. Hope to have an update in a few days time.

Leaving BC and aiming to summit with Pudsey on the 17th if all goes to plan. Exciting times