This has been a total Nepalese experience that I have postponed for 20-30 years, i.e.
No shortcuts on the acclimatisation means that I have enjoyed every minute of the trek so far. The people, the Buddhism, seeing the big mountains.
But now the real fun begins: the actual climb.
Having now recovered at (relative) lower altitude, I have fortunately still continued to acclimatise.
The body is working overtime: acclimatising, resisting the cold esp. at night (-7deg) in the tent at base camp, the daily trekking of 3-7 hours. Which means I am loosing weight while eating like an adolescent! Without limits or bad conscience! Attention au retour a la civilisation...
In five days we accelerate the movement: climb 800m to Camp 1 @ 6100m, for two nights up the western Cwm @ Camp 2 for three nights and a “touch and go” at camp 3 where I finally go over 7000m, before returning to base camp to rest and adjust.
There will probably be a blog blackout of 5 days, but I hope to bring back videos and photos galore.
Bye for now, on my way back to base camp in 10 hours. Will share the footage of EBC I have shortly.