Team 1 and 2 are now at Tengboche Monastery. Coords - 27:50.130N 086:45.880E. Leaving early after "Call The Hands", we left at a brisk pace downhill for a good 400m with morale at the full and vocal levels high. Unfortunately, to get to Everest we have to head upwards and after crossing a river the long arduous climb of 500m started and not suprisingly the vocal levels dropped, but morale still stayed high.

One high point of the descent was the fact that team 2 survived an angry Yak attack when 6 or 7 realised that their life was pretty pants and decided to make a bid for freedom straight towards our group. In true Marine fashion they performed a rapid tactical retreat with the exception of Villa (Gerald Sergeant) who nominated himself for a 'You've been framed' moment, and filmed the assault right up until he jumped off a small cliff. After dusting himself down and treating his cuts and bruises he was ready to 'get it on' and hit the hill.

Once again, Ronnie (Ian Ronald) has exceeded all expectations and leads by example while demonstrating copious amounts of true Commando spirit.

Every cloud has a silver lining and after several hours yomping and blowing out of one's backside, we finally found ourselves sat eating cake and drinking lemon tea in the local bakery. The afternooon included a visit to the Monastery and preparing our bodies, minds and kit for the next day. This evening will consist of cards, gash dits and gash dits about cards with the morale meter reading maximum.

Daz Kenny (Royal Navy)