BLOG: Ali Cobb  19th Aug 2010
 
Team A and B meet at the Gnefetti Hut

Team A had a very warm welcome from Team B when we descended through gale force winds and 50cm of snow to the Gnefetti Hut yesterday. Team B had been at the hut for 3 days to acclimatise and were all in very good spirits.

Last night was the only evening that Team A and B spent together so numerous stories of bad weather and even worse food were swapped between the groups. We were also fortunate enough to celebrate Jim Milledge?s birthday with a spot of whiskey as he turns 80 on Monday. It was lovely to finally have all of the Xtreme Alps team in one place, even for only one night. Today Team A have a free day of climbing; some team members are taking on some taxing peaks whilst others are escorting Jim to the cable car down to Alangna so he can catch a flight home to celebrate his birthday with his family.

Team B ascended to the Margherita Hut today. It was another 4am start and the conditions were difficult as it was extremely windy and very cold. Dan, Paula and myself (Ali) ascended to the hut for the second time; Paula and me reaching the hut in three and a half hours, beating our previous ascent time by over an hour (its amazing what acclimatisation does!). All of Team B managed to reach the hut successfully and celebrated with a well earned hot chocolate!

Tomorrow is a day of rest and preparing the lab for Team B before the testing begins on Saturday. With 18 subjects in the core study this week, the testing days are going to be extremely busy for investigators and subjects alike.

XE Blogs:
Other blogs by Ali Cobb:
26/08/10
Xtreme Alps leave the Margherita Hut
25/08/10
The final day for Xtreme Alps at the Margherita Hut
24/08/10
The packing begins at the Margherita Hut
23/08/10
The final day of CPEX testing for the Xtreme Alps Team
22/08/10
Yesterday was too good to be true...!
21/08/10
Day 1 of CPEX for Team B