Thank you, Erik, Bjørn, Børge, Akira and Simone for the positive comments - all greatly appreciated.
Erik - this is something I am fond of doing because I find that it increases the tension or drama of a shot. But it's possible to have too much of a good thing (see below).
Akira - the scale of this scene is almost impossible to grasp. Everest summit is 21km from the camera position; the peaks of Changri La (left) are 12-14km away, so we are looking at a scene which is approaching 35km wide. On a really large print - I've made one - the scale does start to become apparent. LATER - no, those distances are wrong; it's about half the figures I gave - sorry. I read the scale on the map wrongly.
Simone - Nima did carry the 5x4, 3 lenses, Polaroid back and filmpack, and ten double 5x4 film holders loaded with colour transparency film. BUT, I carried the 35mm kit - 2 Nikon FE bodies plus 18/4, 24/2.8, 35/2, 55/35 and 80-200/4.5 AND the sodding tripod, as well as ice-axe, crampons, extra clothing, windproof outers, food, drink, survival-bag, extra film, etc etc . . . .
