This morning John Doyle's team moved up to Camp 1 expecting to do a couple of load carries to Camp 2 and maybe go as far up as Camp 3 to familiarise themselves with the route in preparation for their summit bid.

This afternoon the plan changed as the team ahead of them James Raitt, Aleck Burrell, Larry Foden and Roddy McArthur reported that they were all burned out putting in the last bits of Camp 3 and will need to descend to Base Camp over the next couple of days. In fact James and Aleck returned late this afternoon and as today's pictures show they were very tired indeed.

The plan for the next few days will now be as follows:-

Tuesday 9th May - the Sherpas to carry from Camp 2 to Camp 4 and dump the load there, returning to spend the night at Camp 2. - John Doyle's team to move from Camp 1 to Camp 2.

Wednesday 10th - JD's team + 4 Sherpas carry to and occupy Camp 3.

Thursday 11th - Above carry to and establish Camp 4. Descend to Camp 3 or 2.

Fri / Sat 11 / 12th - Return to Base Camp

We will then be in a position to plan the summit bids for the following week.

The fruitless search for Lieutenant Pache's Grave continued today but it did hint at the amount of wildlife there is living around the Base Camps. There are tracks and droppings of hares, weasels, Himalayan Blue Sheep and possibly a fox but unfortunately no sign of the grave.

Today's pictures show James and Aleck on return to Base Camp this afternoon.