Just ended our big packing and checking morning.
I'm still puzzled how an empty kitbag can seem so huge, while packing your belongings it seems to become smaller and smaller :-(
The sleeping bag which should keep me warm till -49C took already one third of the space! Can't tell you how often I got a reaction these days of people (Nepali as well as Western) who were completely horrified and flabbergasted; they can't even name a single reason why you would go up to stay in this cold voluntary and actually also have to pay money for that...
Also in the bag are ordinary stuff like climbing gear, climbing boots, several down clothes, special socks, 2 mattresses, sunblock factor 80(!), Thermos and covers for that, face mask, 3 pair of gloves, 3 pair of sunglasses for all different purposes (yes... horrible, normally I never wear any!) etcetcetc.
I must admit that I also bought myself some luxury items, but I call them 'absolute required luxury' ;-) I'll give you some...
First of all; chocolate! Candy bars, tablets and Nutella as well. About the quantity of this black gold; if I have to count it in monthly Nepali salaries I'm getting a little embarrassed here ;-)
Also a 'must have' is a pair of warm booties to stay warm in the rocky BC and to avoid scratching the expensive and somehow fragile climbing boots completely open before you have even started your climb! My favourites for this cold environment are boots from Canada; people there are so used to live in extreme cold half of the year that I totally rely on their designs and trials!
Next are a few books to fill the acclimatising and rest days in the BC (actually every extra gram which is not reserved for equipment can you see as 'luxury item'), tasty tea (Moroccan mint, yummie) and not to forget some Kenzo perfumed body lotion; the environment is barren enough already :-)
Last but not least, some flyer material for the Climbing for Water Foundation. Didn't check our upcoming activities yet??? Please do at http://www.climbingforwater.org and/or http://climbingforwater.blogspot.com
Not sure if the yak who will devotedly transport all my stuff to the BC must be happy or not, but at least it will get a hug from me, as well as a delicious snack (besides grass, what's a Yak's favourite candy...anyone???).
CU tomorrow. X
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