A sensible start to the day with breakfast at 8am and leaving by 9am. I didn't feel very hungry so just had a piece of bread with salami and a small pancake with some honey which was yummy.

Our walk today was up to Stone Mushrooms at 3,200m which took around 2 1/2 hours - good going we were told as 3-4 hours is not unusual. It followed the main route up to the 'airfield', a huge plateau. Again Shorts and T-Shirts were the order of the day with a hat and sunglasses - this time, my glacier glasses which performed well and didn't give me that bi-focal problem I get with my normal sunglasses. Plenty of good stops gave us time to meet the wildlife - more Ground Squirrels. There were some quite steep sections on scree and dusty trails but also some sections of good solid paths.

At the Mushrooms we had a great view of Elbrus and could see teams on the hill going up and coming down. It was 'snack' time. We'd been given a snack bag comprising a Snickers Bar, an Apple and a small bag of fruit and nuts. Strangely it was plenty.

We stayed around an hour, relaxing, playing on the rocks and taking photos until it was time to retrace our steps back down. Of course, down is always harder than up and we were pleased to be back at the camp.

I decided a shower and some clothes washing was in order. The showers were great! Hot water and everything. The clothes got washed in the shower!

Lunch too, was awesome; a really nice soup followed by chicken and some kind of rice, with watermelon to follow. After lunch, Stuart gave us a quick brief on AMS and then informed us of the plan for tomorrow. Basically everything we want to take up to the Top Camp needs to be in a stuff sack. Doh! I'd deliberately bought my big holdall with separate stuff bags to avoid the problem of last year where everything had to be emptied out to get things. Oh well. We are allowed 10kg altogether and I've already used 6kg on climbing gear. No chance, but I knew that. As it happens, there is (free) electricity at the Top Camp so no need to take my emergency battery at least.

The afternoon was spent doing admin; writing my diary, sending messages and what nots. Kit sort to follow.

We were told that each kg over 10kg would cost 200 Roubles - bargain. I figured that pretty much everything would be going. Annoying about the single stuff sac, oh well, at least items are in separate inner bags which will make it a bit easier to manage.

I re-sorted everything into the bag ready and then it was dinner time. Another nice meal. Afterwards we retired to the TV room for a puzzle set by Stuart. Ten spoons set side by side. The challenge; to make five crosses, but each spoon could only cross two spoons and only move in one direction. We all had a go at it and I am pleased to say that I solved it! Bedtime followed shortly afterwards and my usual restless night.