Everest expedition members relax at their Opentec camp high in the Himalayas before setting off to make camp at higher altitudes.

EVEREST assault team doctor Peter Tsimnadis will return to Australia because of a retinal haemorrhage.

Dr Tsimnadis spent some time at the base camp without improvement in his condition. A doctor from another expedition suggested he return to Australia to recover at lower altitudes.

For the remainder of the expedition, the team will receive medical care from David Tingay, of the South Australian expedition, and Scott Ferris from the two-man Melbourne team.

Messrs Tingay and Ferris have already proven they can work together, with Mr Ferris doing some emergency dental work on Mr Tingay in the communications tent.

While at SAAB Camp 1 at 7000m, members of the group completed a load carry to begin the stocking of TMS Camp 2 at 7500m.

Load carries depend on the weather and winds, which have been playing havoc with climbers' schedules.

The old army adage of hurry up and wait comes into full force on an Everest expedition. After the load carry, the group returned to Opentac ABC.

Capt Tanya Bylart left Tenix Base Camp to complete the walk to Opentec ABC in one day.

Dave Donaldson decided to descend to Tenix Base Camp for some rest and recuperation, after trying unsuccessfully to recover from debilitating illnesses at the high altitude of Opentec ABC.

A rest day allowed the team to do some washing, reading and catching up on emails.

Expedition Leader Maj Zac Zaharias says he is happy with the way things are progressing, with six weeks remaining of the expedition.

Freezing temperatures didn't prevent the members of the Tenix Everest 2001 Expedition from remembering Anzac Day.

At the Opentec Advance Base Camp, the group joined with other Australians for a traditional ceremony and a gunfire breakfast.

For the latest pictures from Everest visit http://everest.armyalpine.org.au

By Grant Lilly