Exped prep update

Kyrgyz visas have been stamped on our passports, we are waiting out on our Kaz transit visas, ITMC has all our details and are now preparing our permits for travel in the Borkoldoi region. Expedition Foods has provided us with a fab menu and are freighting the dehydrated foodstuffs to Bishkek for us. The ropes have arrived from Sam at Wykeham Adventure, 4 x Beal Cobra II 8.7mm 60m Golden Dry, and 2 x Booster III 9.7mm 60m Golden Dry . Very nice. And all of the above have been paid for, phew.

Everyone has the right kind of insurance and their flights; we have 4 x 15 kilo sports bags booked to supplement our weight allowance. I spent the evening figuring out all the weights of our equipment (did you know that the average thermal base layer weighs 320g? fascinating stuff) and putting the info in a table so that Mike can allocate who carries what this week. Eddy has been set the fun challenge of finding reasonable yet easy-on-the-pocket accommodation, and ITMC have been warned off to collect our freight and the customs and excise figured out (not cheap!). Vanessa is gathering all the components of our med kit to bring across from Oz, and luckily can write her own letters of permission for the drugs etc (since she is one!).

So it is all still ticking over, vaccinations and diamox need to be sorted out, the group kit distributed and our new ropes gently used a little before departure (kid gloves - no falls please) to get the kinks out and see how they run. The Booster III are meant to be surprisingly slick despite the relatively high diameter and require skilled handling.
Happy days, even if it is lashing down outside.