We have now minimized the equipment in our rucksacks for the next stage up the mountain, nevertheless, we think it is still too many kilos to carry at this altitude. Twenty kilos have never felt heavier. Mattias was not totally recovered from the events of the previous day but the majority of the group decided to carry on anyway. The risk of bad weather and the fact that staying at high altitude breaks down the body were some of the arguments behind the decision. If we get a window of good weather it makes sense to take the opportunity to climb and at the same time reduce the time spent at the mountain. Marco and Robert are more eager to get started and set off an hour ahead of Mattias and Olof that take it easy in the morning sun.

Now we have reached our final base camp before the summit attempt. Marco and Robert find a good place to pitch their tent and mark another sheltered place for Mattias and Olof's tent. Berlin Camp is dirtier than Nido de Condores. Previous visitors have used the surroundings of our tent place as a lavatory, and we spend twenty minutes cleaning up their leftovers...When the sun melts this during the afternoon hours an unpleasant smell spreads over the camp.

No time to waste, we now have to melt as much snow as possible to get enough water in our bodies. Marco has lit his stove and has managed to find snow that is neither brown or yellow and starts melting it.

Robert's girlfriend is pregnant and here we see a proud Robert showing his coming pride and joy (look at his left hand). The idea is that he will place the picture in the summit cross once we reach it.

When the tents are pitched and the stove is running at full speed we have some time to sit down and enjoy the magnificent surroundings.

Here we see the results of spending the whole day without sun protection in your face. Not to recommend at this altitude.

We know that there is a lot of talk about sunsets here but it is an amazing view to see the sun set at this altitude when the atmosphere is so thin and the sky is so clear.

A tired Robert contemplates the task for the following day, the summit attempt.