Agnieszka Moskala climbs Cho Oyu
Expedition Log, 9th April 2011
While waiting for visas for China we have had an amazing day of sight-seeing! We went to Bhaktapur – an absolutely magical place! Maybe Monday we'll be on our way to Tibet (I can't wait). Kathmandu is verrrrrry busy, loud and dirty, so I want to go to the MOUNTAINS!!!! It looks like it is not going to be easy up there, but I think everyone knew that. I'm a bit scared and very excited. It looks like we have a great team and hopfuly we will be successful!!!
Expedition Log 6th April 2011
Well, the day has arrived! I feel super-excited. It's just three hours until take-off.
A big thank you to everyone who has supported me, for all the great energy! Without you I would not have been able to prepare in such a short time!
My bags are packed (see below), right to the brim of my baggage quota (top tip - Jet Airways give you 35kg hold + 7kg hand baggage). I might still have to wear my Spantiks in the cabin. Hopefully not the down suit too : ) I....am....ready ... to ... GO! GO! GO!
Expedition Log, 21st March 2011
I depart for Kathmandu on Wednesday 6th April – 15 full days to go!
APPROACH ITINERARY
day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1336m)
days 2-3 Kathmandu – process Tibetan visa day 4 Drive to Zangmu (2350m) day 5 Drive to Nyalam (3750m) day 6 Rest day for acclimatization day 7 Drive to Thingri (4350m) day 8 Rest day in Thingri for acclimatization – guest house – last night in the comfort of a guest house : ) day 9 Drive to Cho-Oyu Base Camp (4900m) – higher than Mont Blanc – woohoo!
days 10-11 Base Camp – acclimatization and load preparation : ( day 12 Trek to Intermediate Camp (5400m) day 13 Arrival at Advance Base Camp (5600m) days 14-37 Climbing Period
During the climbing period we will establish three camps (6,400m, 7,000m and 7,450m). To do so, there will be periods of equipment transfer up the mountain, progressive acclimatisation and rest. All acclimatisation will take place on Cho Oyu itself and will include nights on the mountain and in Base Camp. We plan to use no bottled oxygen, so acclimatisation will be very challenging. In Camps II and III I will sleep higher than I have ever climbed. I know how tough it is to perform at altitudes approaching 7000m, so I expect these days and nights to be whole new experience in self-control and motivation. Mind over matter!
Aggie Xx
March 11th 2011
It was just one month ago that I was invited to join a Polish expedition to Cho Oyu, due to depart a few weeks from now. It looked impossible on practical grounds. When I climbed Ama Dablam in 2009 (6856m) I had a whole year to train, prepare and save money. So imagine how amazing it was when one of the members of my expedition to Ama Dablam offered to lend me most of the money for Cho Oyu. So I accepted! Crazy woman! And now I just have to get my equipment together and to train like crazy - before and after work and on lunchbreak!
My daily training is made up of 2½ hrs of strength and cardio exercises – running uphill and in intervals, long sessions on a stepper and lots of lunges and squats with weights : )
On lunchbreak I often climb on the Ellis Brigham Ice Wall, where I work as an instructor. The crux on Cho Oyu is a steep 50m icefield, encountered at 6800m, close to the height of Ama Dablam. So my lunchtime ice climbing is an essential element of my preparation, alongside my five doughnuts a day : )
A few days ago I received the fantastic news that Ellis Brigham will give me a high altitude down suit from The North Face! And that they will also organise the loan of a Mountain 35 tent from The North Face. What’s more, my wonderful workmates have surprised me with a pair of beautiful down mitts, which they are buying between them! What amazing support! A BIG THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND MANAGERS OF ELLIS BRIGHAM COVENT GARDEN!
I’ll write again soon, with a full kit list and a description of the expedition itinerary. If you are planning any climbing, an Alpine or Himalayan trip, come to Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports in Covent Garden and I will be more than happy to advise on equipment and to share my experience and passion.
