Soapbox

I know a lot of us folks go straight to the forum so I'll be honest and say I'm sticking this up to draw your attention to the article, and especially the link to Conan's charity appeal.

It would be great if all the forum regulars (and to be honest anyone else - Cancer isn't fussy) could add a little bit to Conan's sponsorship funds - I'm sure he'll repay us with some pictures & an account of his successful :-) attempt this time round.

Not only did Conan/Survivor and I first meet 'virtually' via the OM site and then meet 'properly' on an OM minimeet, but our first date was also an OM minimeet, doing the English 3000s.

So yes, our meeting and subsequent relationship can truly be attributed to the OM site. Thanks Jon! :-)

Lindsay / Leaf

<Bump>

Jon, I hope you're buying a new hat ;-)

Update on Conan's trip:

The team are walking in to base camp at the moment: apparently they got caught up in a gun battle (Mauists v. Army) on Thursday but were able to continue after taking refuge in a shop.

They're currently on the way to Tingri, last village before Base Camp.

Don't forget the Fundraising Site!

Adventure Peaks report says the team reached Base Camp today.

I've just had a phonecall from Conan at Base Camp - two in fact as the connection was poor so we got cut off first time.

He says it's Very windy there and another team's tents have been ripped by the wind up at ABC (Advanced Base Camp). His knee is still sore (where the metal rod inserted from 2003's accident on said Hill contacts the bone) but ibuprofen seems to be keeping it under control at the moment and it's recovering quite well on the rest days.

Other than that and a bit of a cold (which it sounds like is doing the rounds of BC) he's fine and sounded in good spirits.

Still seems strange & remarkable that I could possibly be talking to him on Everest when I'm at my office desk in Tunbridge Wells!

They're due to leave BC for ABC on Sunday, so we're hoping the wind dies down a bit by then.

I've just heard from Conan and wanted to share the good news:

He's safely back at Base Camp for five days' rest and recovery.

Yesterday he and Stu summited Lhakpa Ri (7015m) - that's Conan's first 7000m summit and he's delighted (& so am I!).

The not-so-good news is that he's got a chest infection, has pulled a muscle in his back/rib from coughing so much and was 'almost on hands and knees' on the climb back up to ABC at the end of the Lhakpa Ri day, but now that he's back at BC he can rest, eat better food, take antibiotics and breathe thicker air, so he should be feeling stronger soon.

That's great news Leaf. I hope he recovers quickly and is successful on his summit bid. I was reading about the army expedition recently and about the awful weather conditions they were getting and I was thinking about him and wondering if he was doing OK. It must be frustrating waiting for news. Best wishes to both of you.

Mrs Survivor, I've just remembered that very windy day in October on the Carnedds, when I made the completely stupid suggestion to Conan that the weather would probably be a lot nicer in the Himalaya!

I know you can't read OM at Base Camp Conan but it's great news that you're strong & well (in a broad sense!!) and looking good for the biggie.

7000m. How many Skiddaws is that? :-)

Very best wishes to Conan, Leaf! Please pass them on if you get a chance at any stage :)

Yes, I'll certainly pass on your best wishes.

Latest report from Base Camp is that they'll be heading back up the mountain for phase 2 (aiming to get to 7700m) on Sunday, aiming to get up to 7700m or so this time. Phase 3, which will include the summit attempt, should begin in the second week of May, but of course all this depends on the weather and health.

Conan's still suffering from a painful cough and persistent cold, but his left leg that had caused concern before the trip, seems to be behaving itself quite well so far.

Good luck fella... sounds as exciting as it could ever get. Go for it, and stay safe..

Mrs Crompton and I had the pleasure of Mrs Conan's company this weekend.

Mrs Conan and I enjoyed beating his challenge of completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in under 6 hours (1 fall, no submission); and we were all delighted to hear that he has nearly got the shower tent up at Base Camp!

Now why did I want to say that? Oh yes, because it would be nice if people clicked on this!

Breaking news from Everest Base Camp...

today there was enough sunshine to power the solar panels and warm the water, so Conan had a shower! The next major task is for him to wash his socks!

They're keeping a close eye on the weather forecasts, hoping for a good 'weather window' in which to make the summit bid. At the moment, they're hoping for about 18th May but will have a better idea within the next 3-4 days.

His back is much better now - today was his first ibuprofen-free day for 2 weeks - so things are looking good - just need that good weather.

Leaf / Mrs Survivor or, as Marcus put it 'Mrs Conan' !

It's all systems go...

The weather forecast suggests that there may be a good 'window' from about 16th to 21st May, so teams are already starting to head up the mountain.

Conan and the rest of the Adventure Peaks team are heading up to Advance Base Camp tomorrow, hoping to summit on 17th or perhaps 16th May, weather permitting.

So the waiting at BC is just about over and the excitement begins. All those many months, if not years, of training, the hours down the gym, the weekends climbing in Scotland, the thousands of pounds spent, the weeks and effort of acclimatisation.... all focused on this next week...

Our thoughts and prayers from the Conley household are with him :)

Leaf will be offline for the weekend, but Adventure Peaks report that the team made it up to ABC last night, and that the forecast is encouraging for a summit attempt on the 17th.

Conan's thoughts (quoted on the Adventure Peaks site):

"It's been 3 years in the waiting since that near tragic day on 21st May 2003. I'm feeling very strong and my confidence is building by the day. We have a strong team so if the weather comes right for us then the 17th will be a great day."