Manaslu - camp 2

After a couple of nights spent sleeping at camp 1 (5900m) and climbing higher on the mountain, the Dream Guides Manaslu team have been back at base camp for a few days - resting, refueling and getting ready for their next push higher up the mountain. Since the dismally wet and snowy start to the expedition, the weather has completely changed and they've been enjoying blue sky days, incredible views, and perfect clear evenings. A pretty impressive place to be!

Guy was lying in his tent admiring the silhouette of Manaslu by starlight when we last spoke. Incredible to be able to speak so clearly by satellite phone when they are in such an inaccessible place. He said everyone is on good form, feeling fit and healthy, acclimatising well and enjoying being part of an exciting and special expedition - one of only a handful of teams on this impressive mountain. Emma has already been skiing - making a few turns between camp 1 and base camp a few days ago, while the rest have been acclimatising gradually and trying out their down suits and oxygen masks at base camp.

There are now 3 other ski teams hoping to be the first skiers from the summit - Our Dream Guides skiers, plus Chileans, Swiss, and now a French expedition who arrived at base camp a couple of days ago. Although only one group will be the 'first ever' skiers, just being there to climb and ski is an achievement in itself, and the atmosphere is very friendly! The Chilean team have been working with Dream Guides to help secure the route between camps 1 and 2.

Guy, Doug and Trotty headed up towards camp 2 yesterday morning, with Emma, Bonita and Rob following a day behind. They'll each spend a night at camp 1 (5900m), then move up the mountain to camp 2 (6400m), where they'll spend 2 nights before heading back down to base camp.

The route from camp 1 to camp 2 is the most technical section of the climb. Dream Guides guide, Rob Casserly, the team's sherpas, and the Chileans - who are also hoping to ski the mountain - have been involved in fixing ropes through the most technical ice climbing sections of the route. They are hoping to spend a couple of days climbing above camp 2 and getting used to being high on the mountain without oxygen. This part of the climb will be hard on their bodies, but so far everyone is doing really well and coping with the altitude with nothing more than a headache.

Assuming all goes well over the next 3-4 days, this will be their last acclimatisation climb before resting up at base camp for a few days ... then, all being well with the weather forecast, conditions, and everyone's health - it's summit time.

We're expecting to hear from the guys early next week, when they're down from camp 2 and resting up at base camp before the real deal.

Watch this space!! ...