Challenge Everest 2008

Website: www.leefarmer.co.uk   Raising Money For: The National Society for Epilepsy Charity

Route: North East Ridge

Lee Farmer

EXPEDITION NOW FINISHED

2nd June: At 7am on the 25th Lee leaves the South Col Camp feeling a little weak. He arrived at Camp 2 later in the day to find most of the tents already packed up and gone. On the 26th Lee started his descent for Base Camp. He made his way down through the Khumbu ice fall for the last time. He arrived in Base Camp with numb fingers and a burnt face.

27th May: On the 18th I left Base Camp and headed up to Camp 2. At 3.30 am on the 22nd he left Camp II for the ascent to Camp 3. He arrived at Camp 3 at 9.00am. He spent the day eating and getting re-hydrated. Lee left Camp 3 at 5.30am on the 23rd for the South Col Camp. Again, time was spent eating and drinking once having arrived at Camp 4. Lee left Camp 4 at 8pm and at 5.37am on the 24th May he reached the summit. Lee arrived back at Camp 4 safely.

15th May: Lee left Base Camp at 3.30 am on the 10th May bound for Camp II. After stopping at Camp 1 for a break he reached Camp II by 9.30 am. The day was spent drinking, eating and checking his gear. On the 11th May he had a rest day. On the 12th May at 4.00 am he left Camp 2 to tag Camp 3. There was a strong cold wind, his ears, nose and jaw were numb and stinging, and his ears were going solid with frost nip. At the base of the ramp where the first of the fixed ropes were Lee turned around and headed back to Camp 2. Whilst at Camp 2 he received a weather forecast and it said that worse weather was on its way. Lee decided to descend back down to Base Camp, which he reached at 3pm.

1st May: Mount Everest has today been officially closed. The Nepalese side of Everest is closed for two days, May 1 and May 2, to allow the Olympic flame to reach the summit of the mountain – from the Chinese side. As with all the other expeditions here, we will wait for the all clear before going back up.

21st April: Tomorrow James intends to leave Base Camp early to get up to Camp I, the strategy is to spent a night there then return to Base Camp

15th April: Since arriving at Base Camp Lee has had a couple of rest days and has been busy sorting through gear, with a trip up into the Khumbu Ice Fall.

10th April: Lee has arrived at Everest Base Camp.