| At last, the weather was suitable for us to move to Mera Peak High Camp. Exciting times, as we were about to enter the final phase of the expedition. | ||
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(photo, left:
Porters on the way to Mera Peak High Base Camp) (photo, right: The snow was getting deeper the higher we went) |
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| We left Base Camp and followed the same track to where we had our rope-training session on the glacier, then continued further up to the start of the glacier path. We changed into plastic boots and crampons for the next stage of the journey. We weren’t required to rope-up at this stage, as the path was well defined with any crevasses marked. | ||
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(photo, left:
The trail can be seen ascending the Mera la Glacier) (photo, right: Resting on top of the Mera la Glacier) |
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| The initial section was steep, eventually levelling out after about 50m/160ft of ascent as we moved into the clouds ..... yet again. We stopped for lunch when we arrived at the Mera la Pass. A couple of gaps in the clouds gave us views of ‘new’ mountains on the other side of the pass. | ||
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(photo, left:
Clouds descend on the Mera la) (photo, right: Snow being cleared from a crevasse on the Mera la) |
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| We continued up the Mera La, gently rising to the rocky outcrop where High Base Camp was established, arriving at 1600. A very inhospitable place, limited room, but it was a stepping-stone to the peak! | ||
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(photo, left: Part of
the Mera la behind my tent at High Base Camp) (photo, right: A bleak High Base Camp) |
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| A hot drink was provided on arrival, then we settled into our high altitude dome tents for the night. A bowl of stew was brought round the tents for our evening meal. | ||