We settle into our tent shortly after dusk, but before we fall asleep at this unusually early hour, the snows begin. Thunder bellows in the valleys and we hear the flakes of snow accumulating on our tent. The winds pick up and we fear a storm. Struggle as we might to sleep, we cannot help but monitor the weather. We're concerned that this much snow may make a summit bid too dangerous and our guide may call it off.
Sleep fitfully comes.
At midnight, Matei wakes us bearing a thermos of hot tea. The climb begins well as we move efficiently through the snow and up the mountain. But as the hours pass and we move deeper into an atmosphere that is thinner and colder, worry sets in. We are at 18,000 feet and the conditions are taking their toll. From a fitness level we feel good.