Hi there.

Last year I was successful with my challenge to climb to Everest's North Col at 7066m (http://www.justgiving.com/BuntersClimb).  It was tough, but this year I'm back to better myself and raise some more money for charity.

This year I aim to push into the Death Zone, that invisible layer around 8000m where the human body cannot sustain itself for anything more than a few hours.  Staying for prolonged periods leads to death. You can read more about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_zone.

I'm doing this by attempting to climb a peak in the Nepalese Himalaya called Manaslu.  Roughly translated as "Mountain of the Spirit", this peak towers above all the nearby ones and is the 8th highest mountain in the world, one of only 14 peaks over 8000m.  Here's a link if you want to know more about it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manaslu.  To date only 240 climbers have summitted Manaslu and only one Brit (Alan Hinkes).  There have been 52 deaths on Manaslu so the attrition rate is over 21%.  Everest's death rate is 9.3%. Here's some more info about the 8000m peaks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-thousander.

**************  Update 29/09/2008 **************

Well, when it snows here it really snows.  Heavy snow fall has halted progress but the good news is that the weather is now improving and the sherpas are heading up today to see if they can re-establish the route and if they can find the tents at camps 1 and 2!

We have just about managed to stop our tents at Base Camp being buried and have had to content ourselves with eating and watching videos.  Which I happen to excel at.

It all now depends on the condition of the snow, avalanche risk and whether the route can be re-established.

Will keep you posted.

Bunter

**************  Update 19/09/2008 **************

Things are staring to get serious here.  We have pushed up to Camp 2 which was a climb of 1,030 meter from roughly 5,720 to 6,750 m.  Traversing below towering seracs and crossed crampons scraping ladder over huge crevasses and up a steep ice gully..

Made it to camp 2 just before 4pm looking forward getting my head down in the sleeping bags but a call from the radio down at ABC warned us that a new forecast had arrived predicting an immediate shift in weather conditions and 40-70 cm of snow due in over the night and coming 2 days.

So with only an hours recovery time we packed up and dug out the headlamps for what was a necessary descent back down to Camp 1.

Still all good for acclimatising and now rearing to go once we get a good weather window.

For all those thinking I am in for a shock on my return - yes I do know all about it!

Bunter

**************  Update 14/09/2008 **************

Sorry for the delay in reporting but the good news is we have arrived and we now have communications organized.  For the enthusiastic you can now view our progress reports on the Jagged Globe web site, including a picture of the climbing team.

Everyone here is fit and well and enjoying a rest day or two after we all slept at Camp 1 which is  5,700m.

The advanced base camp is filling up with several other teams arriving.  Our sherpas have been fixing ropes for the route and finding their way through to camp 2.  We are told there are some very steep sections, large crevasses and some danger of serac falls so that should be interesting.

After the climb to camp 2 the plan is we will return to Camp 1 then go up to sleep at Camp 2 c6,500m before returning to advanced base camp for couple of rest days.

I will try and kep you posted.

 Bunter

**************  Update 25/08/2008 **************

Well we have arrived in Kathmandu but not everything is going to plan.  We have managed to loose 6 kit bags so far - none of them mine!  One Irish guy in the party is completely kit less!

Major flooding means we have been unable to hire a helicopter locally so we are about to fly to Pokhara to try and find a helicopter to take us to Manaslu.  I will keep you updated as best I can.

Best wishes to all and keep the money rolling in!

Bunter

**************  Update 20/08/2008 **************

Well I'm really struggling to get all of my gear into a single 20kg bag.  I've already had to jetison my Hobnobs and HP Sauce!  I have to wade through a sea of down clothing in my living room before I can sit down, though I don't really have time to do that - too much to do!

**************  Update 13/08/2008 **************

Almost up to £600 now - thanks everyone! 

I'd also like to pay a small tribute to one of the girls at work, Moira Mackenzie, who died unexpectedly last week.  She was a good, kind person who will be greatly missed.  I'll be thinking of her on this trip and gaining inspiration from that during the hard times.

**************  Update 06/08/2008 **************

The fundraising is going really well - nearly £300 in 1 week!  And that's specially good considering it's the holiday season.  Thanks to everyone who's sponsored me so far - to the rest of you, come on!  Let's make it all the way to the summit of £1000!

**************  Update 04/08/2008 **************

I've had a few queries about the tragedy on K2 over the weekend when 11 people sadly lost their lives.  To sum up, they did nothing incorrect, it was just pure bad luck.

**************  Update 03/08/2008 **************

I spent the end of last week assembling the gear for the trip.  Down Jacket, Salopettes, Sleeping Bag, Gloves, the list is endless.  If I can figure out how I'll post some images here of it all.

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I'll be posting regular updates here so that people can track what is happening.  I fly out on Sat 23rd August and return on Sun 5th October.

I've paid for the trip already, so everything that you donate will go straight to Diabetes UK.  This is one of the HBOS Foundation charities for 2008.  You can either donate a fixed sum or donate a notional sum and pledge an amount per metre of altitude I reach.  If I make it all the way, 0.5p/metre would be £40.82.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Diabetes UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!