Day 8 - Polish Glacier

Severe winds rocked our tent all night and abruptly abated around 7:00 am just in time for us to get up and prepare for our climb. Though we were on snow for most of our gear carry to camp two, much of the snow melted at camp one by late afternoon. We brought up food, our warmest clothing, crampons and ice axes for our summit bid.

The climb up to 19000 feet was very tough, very steep. I felt solid all day but definitely feeling the altitude towards the top. From camp two we've had significant views of the remote mountain range and a close-up of the infamous Polish Glacier. One can almost be lured into thinking the glacier is a shortcut to the top. Another look at its seriousness and you get a huge respect for the mountain. From camp two our group will be traversing the normal route. We will intersect the route in a area called the Black Rocks and then will continue on the normal route to the summit.

The weather has been mostly schizophrenic so it seems impossible to project what will be for our projected summit attempt in three days time.

Back at you tomorrow.

Terri S