Maximum Altitude: 5,528m

After last nights 50/50 split it transpired that only five people decided to do the Pass, the rest went around the low level route. The five electing to climb the Kongma La were also the only five of the entire trip to climb every Pass, every Peak and visit EBC.

It is a tough climb as predicted, and felt much harder than anything we had done so far - a good one to leave to the end! It starts well enough heading over the glacier but the path soon deteriorates into a bouldery scramble before crossing an easy meadow, then the climbing begins. It is steep and relentless, sometimes on boulders, sometimes on sand and never seems to end. Finally the 'summit' flags come into view but still takes some time and effort to reach.

On the top, the views all around are spectacular and make the effort of getting there so well worth it. Of course, the top is only half way and we have to descend the other side which seems easier but comes in the form of some steep downhill followed by some fairly flat walking to rest the aching knees and thighs.

At one point, our destination came into view but soon vanished again, only reappearing when we were very much closer. At this point, we saw the other Team heading up the valley and mentally hoped that the Sherpas didn't sniff a race to the Lodge - they didn't thankfully.

The Lodge is very nice and the rooms large enough to stow bags at the foot of the bed. It has the distinction of being the Base Camp, or at least the starting point for climbers attempting Island Peak; the huge peak dominating the skyline. We spent some time watching climbers prepare kit and it was pretty obvious that some didn't even know the basics such as Jumaring, tying knots and general kit admin - good luck to them! Shortly after arriving, we got the news that Alex is to be Cas-evac'd out due to a potential HAPE. A helicopter is promised but due to cloud cover is cancelled and Alex has to descend to the local (luckily) hospital at Dingboche by horse! We will follow down in the morning but hopefully he will have been helicoptered out long before we arrive. Another sad end to a Team members trip. It both surprised and disappointed me that no-one in the Team seemed the least bit concerned or bothered that he was being taken to Hospital, in fact one complained that Tea had not been served! No one sat with him, other than me, no one came out to help him other than the Sherpas who were marvellous as usual and when I came back in, it was as if nothing had happened.

I managed to get some internet time later and caught up with home until dinner, which was a marvellous egg and chips. After dinner, diary writing and an early night as we have Chukhung Ri to climb in the morning. I wonder how many will manage that?