Normal start to the morning, and by 0750 we were on our way back up the ridge, following the same track as the day before. However, we reached the same high point quicker than previously .... good sign! We continued along the ridge, which in part required the use of hands for extra stability, and reached our first snow patch at 4100m. Not long after, we stopped for a snack at a rocky pass.

(photo, left:  Open air breakfast)
(photo, right: Clouds start to cover the route along the ridge)

The rest over, it was back on the feet as we traversed on the western side of the steep mountain slope towards Camp 4. The path became more snow-covered as we progressed, requiring more caution with foot placement. Long way down for anyone slipping! (It amazed me how the porters, with their loads, moved freely along such slippy snow paths ........ confidence with every step.)

(photo, left:  Snack time in the clouds)
(photo, right:  First encounter of snow)

Arrived at Camp 4 at about 1400, with a reasonable amount of snow scattered around. The clouds had also lowered by 1700, engulfing the mountain tops, coupled with a steady drop in the temperature to 0 deg C .... all the makings of a cold night. A few took advantage of the snow in the camp, and constructed a rather nice snow-man, which soon had a sex change to a snow-woman. (I think Scotty was the surgeon who added the two rather large extra pieces of snow!)

(photo, left:  The next camp is in sight)
(photo, right:  What a work of art!)

(Photo, left:  Candle lit dinner for 'many')
(photo, right:  The morning after the snow!)