Sunday 3rd October
Dawned at last after some worrying early morning rain. Thankfully the rain had cleared by breakfast. We all wondered who had won yesterdays AFL Grand Final Replay. The ride started with a 13km flattish ride before heading up toYulong La at 4540M - a modest 4km climb which I managed without stopping or using my bottom gear.

A great 8km downhill followed although the road was somewhat rough. Not rough enough to stop me overtaking a truck on the way down. After a further 6km of flattish road we finished the short day with 4 or 5km of slight uphill with an increasing head wind as we headed towards Lhatse. This somewhat stuffed me, but the beautiful grassy camp site alongside a fast running bubbling river was very pleasant.

Iain and I both "enjoyed" a big dinner (I think the diamox is kicking in) and the day finished with an hour of Uno (card game).

Monday 4th October
I had a great night's sleep. Ian woke me at 7 then I went back to sleep until breakfast at 8 - a good preparation for the 1st of 3 tough days we are heading into. First up a 1200m climb up to Lhakpa La with a bitter 20-30kph headwind for the last 4km. It was good to see the flags as I approached the summit after 4.5hrs. Then the downhill!! - strengthening bitter headwind, pedalling all the way downhill (at times down to 12kph). One third of the way down we should have had our first view of Everest, but the overcast conditions limited it. We finished the day at 4.30, stuffed and frozen despite Kunchok's outer coat I had borrowed. Tomorrow sounds like another tough day as we leave the Friendship highway and head off road towards the base camp. I need a good night's sleep.

Tuesday 5th October
Another freezing morning as we ride in shadow for the first hour. Passing trough a village there are some good examples of the widely used solar kettle heaters.

As we turn off the Highway the signs tell us we are getting close to the highlight of the ride.

Pretty soon we are into the start of the 125 switchbacks to the summit of Pang La at 5150m. The 4WD track is pretty rough and I find it very tough going. About two thirds of the way up I'm dropping well behind Iain, John(NZ) and Nick and decide to join Ian in the bus for the last few km.

At the top of Pang La we get our first good view of Everest (about 80km away).

After lots of photos I rug up with Kunchok's coat again for the 30km downhill into another picturesque valley and a village.

As first in by 10 mins (I enjoy the d/h) the tents were easy to see but the track in was not obvious. Having got to the site I drop my helmet and gloves at the front of our tent and walk back out to the road to guide the others in.

 We had been warned to watch out for some light fingered local kids at this site, and sure enough when I got back my mitts and silk inner gloves had gone walk about.I went to bed a little peeved about the gloves but I got another good night's sleep. Iain was still have trouble with cold feet.