Hello everyone. It’s day 11 and we’re going to deviate slightly from the norm, as today’s post is from Paula and Etta.

Camp Doc Kate has held a clinic every evening to keep a close eye on each of us, but unfortunately Paula has been struggling with altitude sickness on a fairly consistent basis since day 5. Last nights medical exam showed Paula’s oxygen saturation levels had dropped to 62% and coupled with a headache that medication couldn’t shift, low blood pressure and a worry that symptoms might worsen overnight (and getting down from Atacama refuge at night isn’t something you want to contemplate) the decision was taken to drop to sea level.

Once that decision was taken a team meeting was quickly called to explain the situation, and the request was that one of the team volunteer to descend with Paula, as she couldn’t descend alone.

A handful of girls volunteered to accompany Paula but due to Etta’s consistently low blood oxygen levels (which made her progress steady, but slow) she decided for the sake of the team to also descend, as on Summit Day they need to be at their quickest and most nimble.

Now having spent 16 hours at sea level both girls are feeling great, but missing their team mates.