Today dawned with promising weather and with time now against us Colin, Dick and Andy headed up to Camp 1. This is so that Colin, the expedition leader, can view for himself the conditions at first hand high on the ridge. The aim high up is to judge if the Black Gendarme will "go". As time is now tight, he may have to make the decision to drop down into the Eastern Cwm if we are to maximise any chance of a successful summit attempt in the 10 climbing days remaining.

The 3 of them will work up to Camp 3 and go forward to look at the Gendarme; it will take them 2 to 3 days climbing to get there. In 2 days time, Ben and Val will start heading up as the initial summit team and they will act on Colin and team's findings. Further members will hopefully follow if time and weather permits. The rest of us stand by to support and pray for the weather to hold.

General Sam and Lady Anne headed up the hill side towards Camp 1 accompanied by Chris to get some acclimatization and say farewell to the team heading up towards Camp 1. The good weather this afternoon allowed excellent views of the Gendarme and the ridge beyond to the summit.