The latter will gradually move up the mountain as each camp is established until eventually 6 are located in both Camp 3 and Camp 4. Team A are progressing well at establishing Camp 2. From Camp 1, we could watch them moving slowly up the facing ice wall, passing the Korean's Camp 2 to our visible tents 50m above. As to other expeditions, the narrow routes are getting busier with the commencement of the Indian and Tibetan Border Police ascent. Although they are behind us, the early parts of the route are now criss crossed with different coloured rope as each team follows the others trail rather than breaking new ground.

We tend to leave early and usually leave the first footprints. As I type the thunder echos around us, magnified by our altitude and proximity. The snow quickly accumulates and although not a major problem in Base Camp, higher camps must make a conscious effort to clear snow off the tents.