Mera Summit
Summit photo on Mera Peak with Everest beyond
Gearing up in the sheltered and rocky High Camp left many of us thinking it was milder than it would prove on the breezy open slopes higher up. We would all be glad of our mitts and down jackets despite the perfect weather.
At around 6000m Bill started getting cold and tired and wisely returned to high camp woth one of the Sherpas for a surprisingly good kip. Martin followed him from a little higher up – the eyes peering through the balaclava said it all – I’m OK really….just totally knackered! Happily though, all members had experienced the thrill of high altitude trekking and the feel for Himalyan mountaineering – whatever you call it, the views are superb and although the air is thin there is a natural high.
All the remaining members plodded up to the relatively steep final slope and onto the thrill of a proper Himalyan summit. Feelings ranged from jubilation to exhausted relief but all were able to appreciate the fruits of their efforts and panorama par excellence. Not only that but everyone stoically kept plodding back down resulting in lunch at base camp and an afternoon relaxing and enjoying the warmer and thicker air 1500m lower down the mountain.
