The latest dispatch from Ben Clark, a Plum TV host who is summiting and skiing down Annapurna IV in Nepal:
"We spent most of the day today dodging thunderstorms and Austrians.
Both are omnipresent and change the nature of base camp. It was a
classic rest day in a secluded Himalyan locale.
Upon our arrival yesterday, we found a toilet tent smack dab in the
middle of the trail and eight tents in camp for four people. Since only two were here, they requested we keep our camp separate. I explained that
in America, we share. This did not go over so well when their
expedition leader arrived today. They are members of a commercial
expedition that was denied access to Tibet three weeks ago and instead
wound up here.
We set our three tents for the five of us on the only available dry spots
left in what is an acre and a half. Smugly we eyed their shower tent
and today had it moved. Needless to say, they are not communicating
with us. Kind of a bummer, we just thought it was unneccessary to
pitch our tents in a 4" deep puddle...go figure. I'd be upset, too,
though if I thought I was heading to Tibet and instead ended up here
with three rowdy Americans.
Camp is still really sweet, I mean c'mon secluded Himalayan locale
right? We spent most of the day walking up and down the spines of the
morraine eyeing our line on the mountain and awaiting our chance to
climb higher. It looks sooooo good up there. During bouts of thunder
and snow, we retreated to our cook tent and sorted gear for the ascent
in a few days.
We spent most of the day organizing gear and dodging thunderstorms.
It's great to be here. We are figuring out the route and it is
looking good. For skiers out there...it is firm in the morning and
then turns to shin deep corn in the afternoon.
Some photos of the approach have been posted to the website and I
encourage you all to take a look. More photos of basecamp and the
route will follow, I spent a little time working out some tech issues
today too, so please if the descriptions aren't enough we'll be giving
you what we can.
Cheers!
Ben Clark"
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