The avalanche of a few days ago was a moment when the value of those you love crystalizes in microseconds. Previously I may even have considered the near-death experience a "rush", but now all I can focus on is how desperately I want to once again see Vanessa and the boys.

My name is David Tait - I'm an NSPCC Trustee and 'charity mountaineer' having now successfully climbed Mount Everest four times - in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011. I climb to raise both awareness and money for the many violated kids - one of whom was I.

We had been assured by the Katmandu Helicopter Company that the aircraft would be with us soon after 07:15, but in typical Nepali style, if finally clattered into view at the foot of the valley an hour late. This wouldn't have been too much of a problem were it not for the extreme cold.

Unzipping the tent showered me in ice crystals, but finally, and a little unsteadily in stood upright and gazed around at the beautiful scene. I trudged to the wash-tent and with a -10 ambient temperature, set about shaving.

With a bitter wind at our backs we set off across the boulder strewn river plain at little more than a snails-pace - our priority to get Ethan to Lobouche on one piece.

Straight up. There was no alternative way to exit sleepy Phortse and still be heading towards our intended destination Pheriche, [the next stop on our journey to BC] than straight up the steep, hill that flanked this picturesque village.

Yesterday had turned into a bit of an epic. After racing up and down the mountain that backstops Khumjung, I had decided that it was time to give myself a decent wash. Over the years Phurba's Lodge has added a number of improvements including a solar-powered electric shower.

Well this is not too far from paradise - at least not for me. I, and I suspect many are not too far from despair at the simple mundane nature of everyday existence, but the tranquility I feel [at least for the first few days!] after arriving here redresses the balance.

Hi, My name is David Tait - I'm an NSPCC Trustee and 'charity mountaineer' having now successfully climbed Mount Everest four times - in 2005, 2007, ...

Kathmandu air-traffic control found a reason to deny our helicopter permission to pick us up from the Hyatt pad. No explanation was forthcoming - just no. So, at 6am we crowded into an ancient battered small coach and rumbled out onto Kat's dawn, but already bustling street.

The Walking With The Wounded team rested on Good Friday as they prepared to spend the next seven weeks living in tents. However the five injured so...