Totally different day. After lengthy thunderstorms last night, we awoke to 3" new snow on the ground. We packed everything up and had 2 porters (split between the 6 of us) carry our tents, sleeping bags, and group gear. My pack probably weighed only 28 lbs.--what a difference! The sky was clear blue again, so hiking through the penitentes and up the scree slope next to the stream became uncomfortably hot. Still love the sun, though!
Arrived at Camp II feeling good. Lhakpa had already put up a couple of the tents. He's a machine. The sun was hot up here all afternoon so we were able to just hang around outside. There seem to be some thunderstorms in the distance but there's nothing overhead yet. Jim has been in his own private Idaho all day, moping in his tent. Don't know what's up with him.
The Plover (my -25 degree bag):
The Plover (rented from Feathered Friends) keeps me cozy and warm, but the stench that wafts towards me as I tuck my body in is almost unbearable. Sharing quarters with me in the Plover right now: my inner boots, my Superfeet insoles, my sweaty socks, and my hiking pants. At the next camp, I imagine I'll have to add my 2 water bottles so they won't freeze during the night. It's easy to get tangled in the crowded Plover, so tossing and turning becomes an aerobic event. Using the pee funnel in the middle of the night approaches anaerobic activity.
Tomorrow we'll do a hike and light carry up to Camp III at 19,200', and the following day, with the help of porters, we will move up there.
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