Mon 23^th April 2012 Everest Base Camp 5300m

Blogging and emailing this morning.

Today some 10 climbers and about 20 trekkers have joined us. The trekkers have a couple of WWTW guys who didn’t make the WWTW Everest team. Andy and Chris. They seem nice guys.

At supper time the camp is full and in the evening we have the privilege of the famous Mr Russel Bryce for company. He has something on his mind tonight as he doesn’t want the usual film being shown in the White Pod and the red wine box in our mess tent is determinedly proffered by him to all. This wine is even worse than the last one we finished.

We are made to finish this one too. I manage to get away with about 3 glasses. Once the taste goes, the edge is definitely taken off the world. Which is pleasant.

As we emerge from out dining tent we are greeted by sounds of jolly people and popular dance music from the White Pod just up above us. In fact as we go inside there is a full on night club in swing.

It only gets worse, flashing head torches are affixed to the walls; beers are handed out at random. Russ decides to ‘Formula One’ a bottle of Champagne...those nearest get drenched and then. the bottle is passed around open foaming mouths!

Woody (one of the head guides) strips to his wiry waist and scales the inside of the White Pod, which is at least 15ft at its highest, using the metal frame to do his best orang-utan impression, swinging by one arm and then one leg. A plethora of concerned drinkers link arms underneath him for when he comes crashing down.

Surprisingly he makes a safe unaided return and shortly after Russ makes his entrance now redressed in suit and tie and gives a solo virtuoso resembling an amateur break dancer who is receiving a 500v electric shock ....... now I know where Chris Dovell gets his dancing technique from!

Thankfully the electrical power runs out at 1145pm and we all have to retire to our tents.