Once we got off the Camp III ridge, the wind moderated and the temperature warmed considerably. The snow was very wind-packed and slippery, and our descent entailed walking along a rather tilted slope. Lose your footing and you take the express route to Camp II. Below Camp II, most of the snow had melted, so we were back on scree again. We passed many groups headed up, and I would guess that they will be spending multiple days at lower camps as we were told that the next plausible day for summit bids wouldn't be for another week.
I feel relieved to be back at Base Camp. Tomorrow we start the 2-day hike out. Then I'll just have to see if Tom is able to change my return ticket. Richard and Marcel opted to pony up $1600 for an 8-minute helicopter flight back to Penitentes instead of hiking out.
So then there were 3. Liz, Ritesh, and I would be the only ones hiking out with Dan and Stuart. Lhakpa will remain at BC until the next AAI team arrives.
Hope to get some much-needed shut-eye tonight.
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