Next stop – the death zone
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm |
At 6pm (Nepalese time) this evening Sir Ranulph Fiennes was tucking into a meal of chicken, mushroom and pasta, having successfully reached Camp 3 just before lunchtime.
Sir Ranulph said: “There was a little bit of snow as we trudged up the Lhotse Face – but we had no problems at all.”
Sir Ranulph, who has had a triple heart bypass, showed no signs of the altitude exhaustion that has made him so apprehensive. He said: “We have been in our tents resting this afternoon, but there is nothing to do so Kenton and I cut a book in half, he read the beginning and I read the end.”
Of their trip to Camp 3 Kenton Cool, expedition leader, said: “It all went swimmingly well – I’m really pleased with Ran’s progress.”
Tonight is the last time the team will be able to sleep until after they summit on Saturday morning. They will enter the death zone early afternoon and have a couple of hours sleep before they set off around 9pm. What follows is a long, hard trudge in the dark before reaching the summit just after dawn.
Team Marie Curie will leave tomorrow morning at 7am and should arrive at Camp 4 early afternoon.
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May 22nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
My thoughts are with you all may you make it safe and well
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
This really is facinating and far from what I perceive as whimpish. Keep going and come back to tell the story. I could need a chill here in sunny Spain.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Sir,
I have just finished your autobiograph I can honestly say that you are an inspiration to everyone. You great feats against the odds, physical, mental and sometimes personal are truely amazing. This can only come from the most amazingly dedicated people of which there isn’t many.
I hope you succeed with your challenge and wish to donate to your worth charity.
All the best to all, god bless and take care.
Darren Westwood
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Keep it going Ran. reaching the summit is only halfway, but the goods new is it’s all downhill after that!!
Clive
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Good luck chaps!! Keep an eye on the turnaround time and come back safe.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Go on Ran your nearly there, wish you all the luck in the world. Really inspired by what you and the team are doing.
Safe journey
Matthew
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Nearly there, dig in deep, you can do it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Dear Sir Ranulph,Kenton and Rob
We are thinking of you and wishing you well as you make your way to the summit in the darkness.
We would all like to thank you for this amazing climb you are doing for Marie Curie Cancer Care
from Marie Curie Nurses Bernie,Dawn,Ita,Margaret and Olive
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Fantastic news that you are all doing so well, im very excited at the propect of you all summitng on Saturday. God bless and good luck to all!! The Top of the world awaits!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Good luck on your summit attempt, you deaerve every success after your incredible efforts over the years. Really enjoyed your talk at the RGS last year. Dig deep! You can do it!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
good luck sir ran .Thinking of you all the way to the top xxx
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Good luck team marie curie on your summit. Sir Ranulph you really are doing something that does make a difference an extreme personal sacrifce for the benefit of others in such a selfless way. Hope all goes well and safe return journey.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Best of luck Ran with the final stages. Really hope you make the summit this time around.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:25 am
Sir Ran, Rob, Kenton, Trumpies, Tanner et al, Good luck guys, may you be successful and may you return home safely. All the best, will be watching!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
Fantastic to hear all is going well. Everything that can be crossed (fingers, toes, eyes etc) is crossed for safe up and back.
Remember Hillary: ‘It’s not done till you’re down.’
love
Abbs
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
Good luck Nail, remember the Mealypop song it will get you to the top and down again love Tooth
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
I wish you all the luck in the world!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Heard all about your adventures from Matt and wish you all the best for Saturday. What a 48 hours with you, Matt and the Reds all on top of the World. Good luck and keep safe. Tricia and Mel
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 am
Courage, brother! do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble:
“Trust in God, and do the right.”
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:06 am
We wish you all luck at the most difficult sector of your ascent! Take care!
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Good Luck Ran and the team.
Thoughts are with you!
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Lots and lots of luck Ran and the team…we’re all thinking of you and can’t wait to see you when you are back xx
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Sir Ranulph
The best of luck to you, Kenton and the rest of the team for your summit push tonight. The whole of Britain is behind you and hoping you get up and back down again safely.
Just to say also, I was at Base Camp around three weeks ago and it took everything out of me just getting there! And I’m only 26, and haven’t had any heart surgery! So to do what you have already done in getting to Camp 3 in good nick is truly inspiring.
Good luck, safe journey and if you’re staying at the Summit Hotel on your way back try the Buffalo Stroganoff, it’s awesome.
Jonno
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Ran you are my hero,
your courage inspires me,
you need to come through this in order to write another brilliant book,
all the best,
ps, hurry up and add me on myspace
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
You are an inspiration to all of us. You were patron for our Polarchallenge2004 expedition.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your team for a successful summit and safe return to your family