The Ultimate Everest Trek - Log
Summits of Kala Pattar 5,600m/18,368ft
Cho La Pass 5,420m/17,778ft
Gokyo Ri 5,360m/17,581ft
and
Everest Base Camp 5,310m/17,700ft
March 2008.
Saturday/Sunday 15th & 16th March
Flights from Manchester through Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu arriving 6pm local time. We had a meal as a Group at The Shanker Hotel at 8pm where we were staying.
Monday 17th March (Kathmandu 1,400m/4,600ft.)
After breakfast it was a bus tour of parts of the City and then a walk to the Road House restaurant for an enjoyable lunch. Shopping was then on the agenda and a briefing meeting on the trek at 5pm was held at the hotel. At the hotel I exchanged £250 into Nepalese rupees (‘rps’) in small denominations and I had £200 in US$. It was then dinner at Rum Doodle Bar & Restaurant where we all had a nice time.
Day 1 Tuesday 18th March At Lukla 2,800m./ 9,200ft already there is only 70% of oxygen compared to sea level. It is a short trek to the first night’s stay at Phakding -2,610m / 8,561ft.- 5.3miles/8.5kms. (3hrs)
It is an alarm call at 4am with breakfast at 5am and then a bus journey of half an hour to get to Kathmandu Airport for 7am. It is a clear morning with no wind so we take off at 7am after a hectic time getting through the airport. The flight was fantastic as you rose over the snow covered high mountains with very little turbulence. Your heart was in your mouth. At 7.35am we had landed on the small airstrip at Lukla. The scenery was just magic with big snow covered mountains in the background and the support team, of Sherpa guides led by Sidar Kumaar Tamang, (Kumaar reached the South Col 26,000ft. on Mt. Everest) porters, kitchen staff and yaks were all to hand to organise the kit bags, tents, food and other equipment needed. At 9.30am we all left Lukla (some 30+ people and 7 yaks) and our first stop was for lunch at 11am and we were on our way again by 12noon. The route leads north through the crepuscular gorge of the Dudh Kosi, an icy, boulder-choked river that churned with glacial ‘runoff’. We arrived at the campsite at 1pm and had a briefing at 3pm when the heavens opened and it was very wet with low cloud but this did clear up. Some of the Group went for a walk to a monastery near the camp site while others stayed at the site. Our evening meal was at 6.30pm and at the back of eight people began to go to bed. The air took on a wintry sting as night fell – my first night in a tent for many a year. I took a decision not to have alcohol for the duration of the trek and this I did achieve. Alcohol was available all along the route.
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Phakding is a small hamlet with homes and lodges crowded onto a shelf of level ground on a slope above the river. You cross a long swinging metal bridge to get there. Mt. Nupla 5,885m/19,307ft rose in the distance to the back of the camp site.
Day 2 Wednesday 19th March It is a harder route up to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar (the commercial and social hub of Sherpa society) with several crossings of the Dudh Kosi river. Namche Bazaar - 11,280ft/3,440m – 6.5miles/10.5kms. (7hrs.)
Our wake up call was at 6am with a hot drink of tea, coffee or chocolate. This was followed by a basin of hot water for washing and shaving. Breakfast was at 7am in the lodge/tea house and the trek commenced at 8am. (This procedure was followed each morning.) It was a warm morning as we left camp so sun cream was soon needed and I removed my top layer and walked in shorts.
The Everest region lies at 28% north latitude – just beyond the tropics – and as soon as the sun rose high enough to penetrate the depths of the valleys temperatures soon sore. Our lunch break was at Jorsale 2,085m/9,202ft at noon for an hour and this was very enjoyable. It is essential that you do drink a lot of water each day (a minimum of two litres) and this is a task a lot of people found difficulty with. Some form of energy flavouring might have been of benefit and this is something to consider. The trail took us past glades of juniper, dwarf birch, blue pine and rhododendrons. Snow covered mountains were now all around and we crossed some six swaying metal bridges, the last one, the Larja Dhoban, being very high with a large drop below into the gorge. Such bridges were of great concern to me but if you wanted to do the trek you needed to cross them, so this I did. Here the dirt path abandoned the banks of the Dudh Kosi and very steeply zigzagged up the canyon walls, ascending through aromatic stands of pine. First views of Mt. Everest can be seen as you climb but while Mt Nuptse and Mt Lhotse could be seen Mt Everest was covered in cloud behind the long Nuptse ridge. The spectacularly fluted ice pinnacles of Thamserku 6,608m/21,679ft and Kusum Kangru 6,367m/20,888ft pierced the sky more than 2 vertical miles above as you looked to the right. Two days into the trek and I realised this was a magnificent country and I could not take my eyes away from the touring monthans everywhere you looked. It was very hot as we made our way into Namche Bazaar where our tents were being erected on a steep slope beside the lodge we were to use to eat our meals. I had my one and only shower at 240rps before dinner at 6.30pm. Thank god for ‘wet wipes’ which I used for the rest of the trek. Shower facilities as we know them do not exist and the temperatures are so cold you risk frost bite! We were all in bed by 9pm. Here we did need ear plugs as dogs barked all thought the night and one BIG one did parade round our tents- it must have been his/her ‘territory’ we had invaded without necessary permission.
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Namche Bazaar is perched halfway up a precipitous mountain side with views directly across the large and deep valley to the monstrous mountain called Mt. Kwangde 6,187m/20,298ft.
Day 3 Thursday 20th March We visited the Sherpa Villages of Khunde 3,840m/12,600ft and Khumjung 3,780m/12,400ft. 5miles/8kms. approx. (7hrs.)
It was a lovely hot morning as we climbed out of Namche Bazaar looking across to Mt. Kwangde. Very soon we were gaining height and for the first time we were able to see Mt. Ama Dablam 6,856m/22,493ft and other white giants in the distance. A fascinating mountain and we were to see it from so many places as we made progress on the trek. Khunde lies at the foot of Mt. Kumbila 5,761m/18.900ft.
As we approached Khunde and then Khumjung (and other hamlets along the trail) you could see that every area of arable land was terraced and being planted with crops and vegetables. Strings of prayer flags can be seen all around. Ancient Buddhist Chortens or Stupas made of rock and often containing sacred relics are seen as are many prayer wheels. In passing these, protocol demands you must always pass to the left. You also pass on the left side of mani walls. Mani stones are small flat rocks that have been meticulously carved with Sanskirt symbols and these are often placed together to form long, low mani walls; in the middle or to the sides of paths.
We saw the Khunde Hospital and the Hillary School that Sir Edmund Hillary built for the Sherpa people. We ate our packed lunch in the Everest View Hotel which was very luxurious with views in the distance of Mt. Everest but again cloud prevented us from seeing the mountain. This very enjoyable acclimatisation day started at 8am and finished at 3pm. On our return we visited the town to post cards, visit internet cafés and have a look around the shops.
Geraldine Westrupp, our leader, had pointed out that going to higher levels and then descending at nightfall is an important discipline to adopt in your acclimatisation program. The human body adjusts in many ways to this new and strange environment and a very important inter-action is the changing ph of your blood, to radically boosting the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. You should not ascend more than 300m/1,000ft each day and you should take a day’s rest i.e. sleep two nights, every 1,000m/3,000ft.
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Day 4 Friday 21st March We are bound for Kyangjuma at 3,620m/ 11,874ft. 2miles/3.25kms. approx. (3.5hrs.)
The dog chorus was very loud all through the night so it was up early for the loo. Little or no sleep. Today kit bags and rucksacks needed to be packed before breakfast. It was a steep climb at 8am up to the Sherpa museum.
After seeing round the museum we were on a very pleasant path and at 10.15am we did see our first clear views of Mt Everest away in the distance. At 11.30am we arrived at our next camp site and here the lodge was very nice. The afternoon was free and I went for a short walk before coming back for tea at 4pm. I was looking across to Thamserku Central 6,608m and West 6,348m and Kang Tega West 6,685m and East 6,779m all fascinating white covered mountains.
Along the trail Sherpas and Sherpanies strained beneath back breaking loads of supplies bound for Everest Base Camp, aluminium ladders used to cross the crevasses (gaping cracks of varying sizes and depths in the glacier), wood to build houses and lodges and supplies of food etc. for hamlets further up the trail. This traffic of humans and yaks goes both ways and make sure you do stand on the inside of the path letting the yak pass on the edge of the path nearest to the exposed edge. These animals are well balanced but the slightest nudge from them could send you down the mountain side. Yaks (male) and Naks (female) carry the majority of these supplies. The majority of these animals are dzopkyo/dzom, which are male/female crossbreeds of yaks and cattle.
It was the birthday party of one of the trek members so a lovely cake had been made by our chef Krishna and ‘Happy Birthday to you’ was sang by all.
It had been a lovely hot day but cloud came down at 6pm and it became very cold and for the first time I did bring out my Rab duck down jacket. As we were looking up to the star lit sky we did see a UFO over by Mt. Ama Dablam 6,856m in the distance. Bed at 9pm to a very cold and frozen tent.
Day 5 Saturday 22nd March It is the crossing the Mon La 3,900m /12,792ft to enter the Gokyo Valley which is the main drainage for the glaciers of Mt. Cho Oyo 8,201m/26,900ft. We are to camp at Dole - 4,050m /13,284ft. 3.75miles/6kms. approx. (7 hrs.)
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We did see round the ‘Prayer Room’ of the lodge before leaving at the back of 8am and then it was a steep incline and we did stop for a break at Mong at 10am. Lunch was at 11.30am at a lovely spot by the Dudh Kosi river. We left at 12.30pm and it was another steep climb through trees before arriving at our destination at 3pm. It was cold and snowing when we did arrive. It was another very cold night at -20%c.
In this location we were again surrounded by splendid mountains namely: Tawoche Peak, 6,542m Cholatse, 6,501m Arakamste, 6,440m Khumbui Yul Lha, 5,761m Phuletate, 5,597m Teninbo, 5,839m and Kyajo Ri at 6,186m.
Geraldine proved to be a very knowledgeable and approachable leader and readily imparting her vast trekking knowledge when asked to do so. Her acclimatisation knowledge was so beneficial at this time and for the days that lay ahead. The group was always led by a Sherpa guide, there would be one in the middle and one taking up the rear of the walk and with this person always carrying the first aid bag. The overall group did very soon fall into two categories namely:
• The front group who walked much faster.
• The rear group who walked at a slower pace.
Kenny (Kodak) filtered between both groups but was often seen on his own well of the path to confront ‘yeti’ and any other wild creatures who might bring danger.
Geraldine was keen that people did walk at a comfortable pace and she took the time to alternate between both groups encouraging all to drink plenty of water.
Day 6 Sunday 23rd March – Easter Sunday The trail climbs steadily up the valley to Machermo at 4,465m/14,645ft. 3miles/5kms. approx. (7 hrs.)
At 6am or sometimes earlier it was time to commence the dreaded ritual of emerging from the warmth of my liner and sleeping bag, wash, and shave with great difficulty and then dress. During the night my breath exhalations had condensed on the inside of the tent fabric to form a fragile interior lining of light fluffy frost and on moving about to dress, this instigated a ‘blizzard’ that was both cold and wet and to say the least, unpleasant. Oh for a higher tent or a smaller body!
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It was another steep morning climb but this levelled out and we did stop for an enjoyable coke at a Café at Liga Ahaka and then a further incline and at the top the views all around were absolutely fantastic. At 12.30pm we arrived at Machermo where we were to stay for the next two nights. A hot drink of orange awaited us and then it was an enjoyable lunch. Lunch normally lasted an hour and had three courses. Soup, meat and sweet which was usually fruit. There was always hot water and hot milk with every meal to make a drink of tea, coffee or chocolate.
I unpacked and organised my tent and had a lie down in the warm sunshine for half an hour before tea at 4pm. Inside the tent it was essential to keep everything covered and at night you kept the likes of your camera, batteries (kept in insulating wrap) in your sleeping bag for warmth. My walking boots and approach shoes I kept in my boot bag. Everything within my kit bag was retained in individual waterproof tying bags for during the day time as well as at night time, as the kit bag itself, just like your rucksack is not waterproof.
A hot stove in the middle of the lodge kept us warm as we were having dinner. After dinner each night we did have a review of what happened during the day and what we were to expect on the trek the following day. Everyone was invited to contribute to this welcomed daily discussion.
On vacating the lodge each night you were given your two, one litre water bottles, filled with boiling hot water which you kept in your sleeping bag and by the morning these were cold and became your drinking water for the next day. Leave these uncovered in the tent and they would be completely frozen in the morning.
Day 7 Monday 24th March Acclimatisation day in Machermo. 3.75miles/ 6kms. approx (3hrs.)
It was a later wake up call at 7am and after another cold night the tents were covered in frost. Low cloud was all around so it was not until 10.10am that we left to do a ridge walk this taking us to a ‘top’ at 5,228m. From here we directly looked across to Mt. Kyajo Ri. The sun came through as the cloud did break but it was windy on the ridge. We saw eagles on two occasions flying just above our heads which was a lovely sight. It was a hard climb and the effects of high altitude were beginning to tell. We reached the top at 12noon and Mt Everest, Mt Makalu 27,765ft/8,463m and other mountains could be seen all around. Lots of pictures were being taken. It was about turn and we were back at camp site for lunch by 1pm.
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We were now in a world that was bleak and desolate, yet mesmerising in its austere beauty. This is a land of moraines, shattered rocks, ice, rugged barren valleys, glaciers and all of this being overlooked by soaring white snowy mountains. The name ‘Himalaya’ means the ‘abode of snows’.
At 3pm Geraldine had organised a talk by a young Australian lady doctor at the local Medical Centre on Acute Mountain Sickness (“AMS”) which essentially causes fluid to accumulate in tissues of the lungs (HAPE) or around the brain (HACE) as the body is deprived of adequate oxygen. This possible sickness, which can ruin or stop your participation on a trek, was brought to my attention by a number of people who had trekked at high altitude and in reading about the problem myself and in seeking medical advice I decided to take Diamox tablets from the second day of the trek and I stopped taking Diamox two days before the end of the trek. Here my prescription had advised me to take one tablet once a day but I took half a tablet each day at around mid-day, the almost immediate effect I found was that I had to urinate. AMS is not normally a concern below 2,800m/9,000ft.
Snow fell in the evening and I was in bed by 8.30pm to another very cold night and little sleep. (-15%c.)
After sunset, around 7pm the temperatures dropped well below freezing and Sherpa guides, porters and kitchen staff flooded into lodges to escape the coldness and warm themselves around the yak dung fuelled stoves, usually placed in the centre of the main lodge room. Lighting in many of the lodges was solar powered and dull thus your head torch here for reading or writing was essential and it was indispensable in your tent. Very early in the trek I did learn to get every thing ready for sleeping and for the next day in day light and to keep all items in the same place in your kit bag and in your rucksack. It was so enjoyable when you were able to stay two nights at one place, meaning you had not to pack your kit bag one morning.
At night sleep becomes elusive, a common symptom of minor altitude sickness. Other symptoms are breathlessness, dry cough, headaches often severe, fatigue, loss of appetite, anorexia, insomnia and nausea.
Day 8 Tuesday 25th March We are bound for Gokyo at 4,791m/15,715ft which is beneath Mt Cho Oyu, 8,201m/26,906ft. the world’s 6th highest mountain. 4.5miles/7kms. approx. (5.30hrs.)
There was a fresh fall of snow when I rose at 5.30am and we were all packed, fed and watered by 8.10am and away. We passed a herd of wild yaks with their young calves on the way. We stopped at a café for a welcomed coke. I was in my shorts and it felt the hottest day so far.
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We stopped for a break at the first lake of the Gokyo lakes, Longpongo Pokhan and enjoyed the very special ambiance of the place and again took many photographs. Here we saw Mt. Phari Lapche, 6075m Dragkya, 5,657m Henjola, 5,925m and Gokya Ri at 5,483m. The scenery was just staggering as we approached our camp site at 1.30pm. After lunch I went for a lie in my tent and then re packed to have enough kit for two days as yaks were unable to go over Cho La Pass at 5,420m/17,778ft. One kit bag shared between two people went with the yaks and the other kit bag (essential items for next two days) was carried by the porters over the pass.
I met a 65 year old lady from Vancouver called Chris who was walking to Everest Base Camp as her husband was climbing Mirror Peak 6,160m. We saw two eagles up high above our camp. At the back of 2pm clouds did begin to form. It was another cold night with showers of snow.
Another essential item to have in your tent was a pee bottle which should have a wide top and at least hold a pint. This prevented you having to go to the toilet in the middle of the night. For ladies there is what is called a ‘slipper urinal’.
Day 9 Wednesday 26th March A BIG day ahead with the ascent of Gokyo Ri at 5,360m/17,581ft and then a decent before crossing the Ngozumba Glacier to Dragnag at 4,700m/15,416ft. 5.25miles/8.5kms. approx. (8 hrs.)
Today was one of the highlights of the trek with the ascent of Gokyo Ri at 5,360m our highest point so far. We left camp at 7am after an early breakfast. It was a very steep climb and we arrived at the top at 10.45am. The panorama was just outstanding and the views of Mt Everest the closest we had so far seen. It was also a lovely day with excellent visibility. We had a snack on the top and left at 11.30am and getting down for lunch at 12.30pm.
It was at 2pm we left to pass the lakes once again and then cross the Ngozumba Glazier to Dragnag where we were to stay the night. This was hard going as in parts the path was very difficult to follow as you went up and down over many mounds of shattered rock, ice clumps and moraines. We finished at 4.30pm. It was to bed at 8pm as a long and difficult day lay ahead.
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Within the tent it is essential to have a thermarest. This is blown up or self inflating and goes under your sleeping bag. Your sleeping bag and inside liner needs to be of the right quality to keep you warm during the night. Frostbite in the fingers and toes was always something I thought about. The first phase of this is numbness with the skin turning blue and it would be essential that your were able to re-warm your fingers/toes. If painful, it means you will have had the beginnings of frostbite. Frostbite is irreversible and your fingers and toes may ultimately have to be amputated.
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Day10 Thursday 27th March A BIG day crossing the Cho La pass at 5,420m/17,778ft and the decent from the pass, often snow covered, involves the crossing of a small glacier and descending further to the yak grazing area of Dzongla 4,830m/15,842ft. 3.5miles/5.5kms. approx. (9.5hrs.)
Ice axes were given out after breakfast and we left at 8am following a stream up a steep slope and we were soon crossing areas of snow. We reached our first summit at noon and for the first time we were able to see the pass in the distance – everyone was horrified at such a vertical ascent. On reaching the bottom of the pass we had a short break to have some food as we had a packed lunch. On the trek it is essential that you do eat food at the allocated times to give you strength for the constant walking each day.
On our approach to the bottom of the pass we had heard a rock fall and as you cast your eyes to the sides of the pass, rocks could be seen every where, appearing ready to fall, but hopefully not as we passed under. It had to be onwards and upwards and this was indeed steep with loose rocks on the path and to its sides, so everyone had to be very careful.
At 2.30pm we had reached the top of the pass where a high wind did hit us and it was very cold. We could see the glazier ahead which we crossed safely but with great care. It was then a decent down a rocky steep slope to level ground below at 4.30pm. At 5pm we were treated to a lovely bowl of soup by the kitchen staff which gave us strength to finish the day’s trek at 5.30pm at Dzongla. Flurries of snow were falling and low cloud was well formed as we arrived. Bed at 8.30pm and another cold night. People had various degrees of headaches, diarrhea and nausea as the trip progressed and here the secret was to control these with Geraldine again being of great assistance. I found taking one paracetamol tablet each morning was so beneficial.
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Day 11 Friday 28th March It is another long day and we join the main Everest Base Camp trail at Lobuche village (4,910m/16,105ft before reaching Gorak Shep at 5,140m/16,859ft. 4miles/6.5kms. approx. (8.5hrs.)
It was a later start at 8.30am and initially a down hill walk but then a steady climb and lunch at Lobuche in a lodge at noon. I found Lobuche a very grim place and here I visited the worst toilet I have ever seen – thank goodness I was not desperate so it was about turn for me. At 1pm we left for Gorak Shep our highest camp site. As we left flurries of snow were falling and it was not to long before we had to put on waterproof gear and also cover our rucksacks. At 5pm we did arrive at our destination and all was white all around and very, very cold. We sat by the fire in the lodge and then went to amalgamate our kit bags.
This was my worst night. I had tried to sleep and just could not. It was all a bit of a panic with me having great difficulty in breathing. Bill and Kenny also had the same problems. I kept switching from breathing through my mouth to through my nose and this was completely wrong to do as you cannot take as much air in through your nose as through your mouth.
Steve Hopkins remembers seeing a Min/Max thermometer with -33% on it.
While my intense studies of medical matters did concentrate on day activity I had given little attention as to what happens to your body during the night, a period of some nine hours when you are very much on your own in a very cold atmosphere. Your lips become very dry and cold and thus chaff. It is essential that you apply lip cream. Your fingers cut very easily and refuse to heal and without the application of savlon they can become very sore.
Day 12 Saturday 29th March We trek to Everest Base Camp, 5,310m /17,700ft. 5.25miles/8.5kms. approx. (7.15hrs.)
Here there is approximately half as much oxygen as at sea level and at the summit of Mt Everest, two vertical miles higher than Base Camp, only a third as much. Camp 1 is a vertical half mile through the very dangerous ice fall at 19,500ft. Other important heights on the mountain are:-
• Camp 2 – 21,300ft
• Camp 3 – 24,000ft
• Camp 4 – 25,700ft
• The Geneva Spur – 25,900ft
• South Col – 26,000ft
• Southeast Ridge - 27,600ft
• Top of Hillary Step – 28.900ft
• Summit – 29,028ft.
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In the ‘thin air’ and sub-zero cold above 26,000ft you are in a place climbers call ‘The Death Zone’.
It was an 8.30am start for Everest Base Camp on a very cold morning but with nice clear skies. It was hard going up and down over shattered rock and jumbled moraine. The scenery all around was breath taking as you looked up to the high mountains all around. We arrived at Base Camp at 12noon where we ate our packed lunch and took photographs.
We did have a walk around but there was little activity (no Internet Café!) as the main climbing season had yet to commence. However activity was building up as supplies were being delivered, some tents were erected and ladders for the Khumbu Icefall were arriving. The Khumbu Icefall, just in front of us, is one of the most dangerous places in the world which is constantly moving and has been measured at between 3/4ft a day. You are aware of creaks, moans and water noise because the landscape here at Everest Base Camp is also on the move.
We left Everest Base Camp and we were back at our camp site at 3.45pm where hot soup was waiting for us. Oh how good. Another cold night but a much better night for me than the previous one.
Day 13 Sunday 30th March We climb to the top of Kala Pattar 5,600m /18,368ft the highest point of the trek. The words mean ‘Black Rock’. It is then a decent to Pheriche 4,350m/14,268ft.) 8.5miles/13.5kms. approx. (10 hrs.)
At 8.30am we leave camp for the ascent of Kala Pattar which is very steep all the way to the top and with the lack of oxygen this makes the going very hard indeed. It was another lovely morning with clear skies and good visibility getting us to the top at 11am. I tied a handkerchief belonging to my late Mother, to prayer flags at 11.10am. I took a number of photographs and looked directly across to Mt Everest some six miles from us. This is a place I always wanted to visit and with Mt Pumo Ri 7,145m looming up beside you it is a very special place to experience. At 11.30am we left the top and we were at the camp site for 12.30pm for soup, bread and cheese. At 1.30pm we left for our next camp site at Pheriche. At around 5pm we arrived at Thugla and we had soup awaiting us in a lodge. It was a quick snack as it was still around an hour to the camp site and we wanted to get there before it got dark. There were flurries of snow and very low cloud as we made our way along this high path. We arrived at 6.30pm just as the light was fading and had dinner at 7.30pm. I had my first good night’s sleep since I started the trek.
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Day 14 Monday 31st March The trek follows the main Everest Trail via Pangboche to Tengboche where a visit to the monastery is paid. It is then a decent to the Imja Khola/Dudh Kosi rivers before a final steep climb to Kangjuma. 9miles/14.5kms. approx. (8.5hrs.)
We descended through a lovely valley on a sunny morning stopping at a number of places to admire the lovely views and to take photographs. It was a climb up to Tengboche where we arrived at 12.30pm. It was very hot as we had lunch. We visited the monastery when it opened at 1.30pm. We left at 2pm with a steep decent to the river bed and then a massive ascent up to our camp site at Kangjuma, arriving there at 4.30pm.
It had been a lovely hot day up until around 1pm when it did dull down. By the time we went for dinner at 6.30pm (we also had our second birthday celebration of the trek) flurries of snow were coming down with low cloud across the large valley in front of the lodge. During the night there was a fall of snow.
Day 15 Tuesday 1st April – April Fools Day From Kangjuma it is on to Namche Bazaar and a steep decent and final short climb to Monjo for an overnight halt. 5.25miles/8.5kms. approx. (3.5hrs.)
We left at 8.30am and arrived at Namche at 9.30am. Eagles were again seen above us. We looked around Namche before we had lunch and at 1.30pm we left. We left the National Park at 3.15pm and arrived at our camp site at 3.30pm. As we got into our tents the rain started but this only lasted for a short while. It was lovely to see many of the trees now in blossom and this had not been seen on our outward journey. It did rain during the night and on high ground this fell as snow.
Day 16 Wednesday 2nd April It is back to Lukla and the end of the trek. A big surprise awaits us – we are staying in a motel at the Airport. 7miles/11kms. approx. (5.45hrs.)
I am up at 5.30am. Running water passes through the toilet and there is a ceramic bowl the second we have seen during the trek. It was a nice morning, but dull, as we left at 8.15am. I was again able to walk in shorts and we stopped for lunch at 12.15pm. We arrived in Lukla at 3pm and it poured with rain from around 4pm.
Having adequate Insurance Cover in place is essential. On the trek we did have two helicopter rescues.
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In the motel we were staying in, a party had been organised to celebrate the trek and to give gratuities to the porters (5pm), dinner was at 6pm and at 7.30pm it was presentations to the kitchen staff and Sherpa guides. It was then dancing and drinking and we all had a wonderful evening. I ended up in Dave’s and Geoff’s shared room with pints until around 1am. Our first alcohol since the start of the trek and Everest beer was ever so good. The end of the trek, memories of which will last for ever. Some 80 miles or 131kms. approx. in total and around 103hrs. of walking.
Thursday 3rd April
It was a morning call at 5am with a welcomed cup of tea. 5.30am saw us having breakfast and at 6.15am we had to walk to our flight that was due to leave at 6.45am. We were to be on the first flight out. Visibility at Kathmandu was poor so the first plane did not arrive until 8.50am and we were on it and away at 9am and with a very pleasant flight we were into Kathmandu at 9.30am and a very lovely warm morning and back at the Hotel for 10.30am.
We all had lunch at the Northfield Cafe. An evening meal was arranged for 8pm at Rum Doodle Bar & Restaurant and while some got taxis home four (two in each rickshaw) had a rickshaw race along the rough and unlit streets of Kathmandu back to the hotel. While an agreed price for this journey had been agreed and paid over, true to form the two drivers tried for even more money! At 1.30am after drinks and a recap it was time to call drinking to a halt. Members of the trek had already left for the USA and UK and others were departing the next day.
Friday 4th April
A day in Kathmandu with a lovely hot morning but with a very heavy thunder storm in the afternoon which saw me taking shelter in the Northfield Café after catching up on e-mails and my blog but missing saying goodbyes to Glyn and Dave who were bound for London that afternoon. Many apologies guys.
Charlotte, Roger and I had an evening meal at Third Eye which was very good and we did walk there and again back to the hotel.
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Saturday 5th April
Up at 6.30am and away at 8am by taxi to Bhaktapur. Charlotte had got the fare down to this acceptable price (400rps for two people). It was such a dangerous drive for an hour or so but arriving in one piece and then paying 750rps each to enter the area. It was a lovely hot morning and with a guide who was paid 100rps + a tip we did enjoy a great time walking round the streets and visiting temples etc. We were back in Kathmandu at 1pm. Charlotte was going back to the UK in the early evening. It was a meal at the Road Head Café for Dave, Roger and I.
Sunday 6th April
Went to the Hotel De L’Annapurna for morning coffee. Had a G&T in Nanglo Café & Pub and a curry for lunch at Moti Mahal, all places I had read about in the Durbarmarg area of the City.
New Orleans was our venue for an evening meal and we very much enjoyed this. We went for a final drink at Sams Bar and we were back at the hotel for 11pm.
Monday 7th April
Today it was a flight leaving Kathmandu at 5.15pm back to the UK so it was goodbye to Kathmandu and Nepal after a great time.
Important Note
These notes are taken from a log I kept on the trek and other comments are very much personal ones. Spellings of places, heights of mountains and distances recorded may not be totally accurate. Any comments made on medical matters are again personal and anyone undertaking trekking activities should seek their own medical advice.
This log has been compiled to help and encourage people who wish to trek, which is such an enjoyable activity. I am very happy for you to make comments or to seek further information directly from me. Under no circumstances should material on this website be copied.
Fraser Mackay
30th June 2008
Krishna Thapa Magar
