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Himalaya
Day 52: Derali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
This precipitates serious psychological collapse. A half-hour later, exhausted by the pain of swallowing and the increasing effort required to pull in oxygen at this height, I finally yield my backpack to Wongchu. He takes it with a quiet smile, as if accepting the surrender of a garrison after a long siege. Shedding the weight doesn't make things any better. Whereas I was out in front with the leaders yesterday, I can only watch the gap between us widen as they disappear ahead and leave me leaning on my climbing pole, heaving for breath, Nawang and Wongchu standing solicitously by.
Stagger into Machhapuchhre Base Camp around lunchtime. It's a much more open, jollier place than last night's guesthouse, full of infuriatingly happy campers sitting outside their tents, spraying each other with a water hose, hanging clothes on washing lines and generally having the time of their lives.
Choose another day from Himalaya
PALIN'S GUIDES
- Series: Himalaya
- Chapter: Day 52: Derali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
- Country/sea: Nepal
- Place: Derali
- Book page no: 119
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