Fellowship Day 14 "High on a Mountain Top"

Gorakshep - Kala Patthar (5545 m/18192 ft) - Lobuche (4930 m / 6 hours / 16174 ft)

The trail becomes rougher now as it makes steeper ascent when it crosses several side moraines past the Gorakshep. From here onward you will find the trail in constantly changing all the way across the moraine through the snow and glaciers. Route finding techniques here include looking for stone cairns (heaps of stone and rocks) as markers, a sure sign of the correct trail. After rounding a bend, the trail leads to the base of the small peak - Kala Patthar. We start early to climb the viewing peak Kala Patthar to see sunrise over Everest. The ascent is steep, so it is important to take it slow and maintain a steady pace. It takes up to to 2½ hours to reach the summit at 5600 m (18372 ft), the highest point on the trek, and the best vantage point to view Everest. Here the view is outstanding, with 360 degree panorama of the mountains, and emotional experience. We return by the same route down to Gorakshep and then down the valley to Periche. Tonight you should sleep well, benefitting from a significant descent. Walking time: 8½ - 9 hours. Final altitude: 4200 m. (13779 ft)

Classic view from Kala Patthar

Fellowship Day 13 "BASE CAMP"

Lobuche - Everest Base Camp (5364 m/17598 ft) - Gorakshep (5170 m / 7 hours / 16961 ft)

The trail ascends along boulder fields and glacial debris to the edge of the Khumbu Glacier then continue up to Gorakshep 5160 m (16929 ft), nestled below the coned summit of Mt. Pumori 7191 m (23592 ft) and the sheer west face of Nuptse. Excursion to Everest Base Camp if there are any climbers just return from Everest Expedition.

Fellowship Day 12

Dzongiha to Lobuche (4930m/16174ft)

The trail ascends the broad, gently sloping valley from Dzongla. In many places the trail crosses small streams on boulders. You can look back down the deep valley from Phalang Karpo to see how much elevation you have gained. The views of Tawoche and Cholatse are particualarly good from this portion of the trail as it passes through country reported to be the habitat of the snow leopard and yeti. Beyond Phalang Karpo the trail climbs steeply onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier then contours down to a stream, crossing it on a bridge just before the village of Thukiha. The trail climbs up the moraine to a row of stone monuments of dead climbers (thanks, I didn't need to know that), then drops a bit and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche, a summer village that boasts several well stocked hotels.

Lobuche

Kharkas (stone hut)

Fellowship Day 10 & 11

Day 10

Goykyo to Chhyungima (Dragnag) (4680m/15354ft)

A long day and the most difficult part of this trek. We will cross the southern end of the Ngozumpa Glacier, pass by the stone huts of Thagna Kharka then climb steadily up a narrow and steep valley which opens up to a wide shallow valley leading to our camp at Kharka, Chhyugima 517m/16962ft.

Day 11

Chhyugima to Dzongiha (4845m/15895ft)

You have to descend from the pass, cross a small glacier, negotiate the ice fall at the end of it and descend via Leisyasa to our camp at Dzongiha Kharka 4730m/15518ft, a high altitude summer pasture directly benieath the north wall of Cholatse Peak 6440m/21128ft.

Fellowship Day 9

Rest Day for acclimatization
Trek around Gokyo Ri, the views in the Gokyo region are tremendous. For the best view climb to Gokyo Ri, the small peak obove the lake. This peaks of 5318m/17447ft, it's a 2 hour climb to the top of the peak, providing a panoramic view of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Twachee. Those with more time and energy can make a trip up the valley to another lake marked with the name Ngozumpa on the maps or even beyond to a fith lake. There are several small peaks in this region that offer vantage points for the surrounding peaks.

Just one of the amazing views they will be seeing.

Fellowship Day 8

Machhermo to Gokyo (4751m/15587ft)

You will climb a ridge from where the valley opens wide as the trail passes through Pangkha. Mt. Cho Oyo 8153m dominates the skyline to the north as you can climb the moraine on the left flank of the Ngozumpa Glacier. The climb is steep to the first of the four lakes that lie in the Gokyo area past the largest of the lakes Dudh Pokhari to Gokyo at 4750m. Gokyo is a typical Kharka stone houses and stonewalled pastures.

Fellowship Day 7

Dole to Machhermo (4410m/14468ft)
In the morning you will follow a steep but beautiful climb through conifer and rhododendron forests and stands of juniper to Lhabarma 4220m and Luza 4360m. There are Kharkas wherever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. You will continue to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river to the camp at Machhermo 4410m.

Thank heavens for cell phones!

Got a call a couple nights ago from the the Everest Crew! They are all doing well. Big T (Gimli) and Pipin both got what they think was food poisoning. Gimli recovered quicker than Pipin thus losing out on the chance to get carried up the mountain on horse back. They both are doing better and both hiking on their own two feet once again.

Mo and R were ecstatic with the amazing views and I was shocked to here they had already had their first glimpses of Mt. Everest from Namche Bazaar.

Not sure I've ever seen R this excited about anything.

The weather has been fairly mild and no one has complained yet of being too cold. I wonder if that may change as they go higher (better not after spending all that money on cold weather gear)!

They all sounded in great spirits and have been pleasantly surprised with the taste and quality of food so far and grateful for the months of training they put in to be prepared! And thanks to their pre-hike trips to the sub zero freezer at ACSA to test out their gear, hopefully no one will come home with frostbite! I'm sure all their advanced preparation will serve them all well.

Temperature gage in the ACSA freezer.

Carving out a space between the tater-tots and frozen orange juice.
Two frozen peas in a pod!

The fellowship on ice.

On the home front, Me and the two little ones are trying not to miss the rest of our family too much, but its kinda hard when I'm sitting alone on Christmas Eve writing a blog post rather than enjoying quiet time with my husband before the hustle and bustle of Christmas morning begins. But knowing they will remember this experience for the rest of their lives helps make the sacrifice seem worthwhile.

Merry Christmas!

Fellowship Day 6

Khumjung to Dole (4090m) 13418 ft
This is the most difficult trek among the rest, leaving the main trail to Mt. Everest, we will follow high on a ridge to 4000 meters past a large chorten at the village of Mong, said to be the birthplace of the saint Lama Sange Dorge, the reincarnate lama of Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet who introduced Buddhism to Khumbu. From there we descend to the village of Phortse Tenga by the Dudh Kosi (river). From Phortse the trail climbs steeply through forests of rhododendrons and then stands of juniper and large conifers as the altitude increases.

Fellowship of the Trek Day 5

Namche Bazaar to Jhumjung (3780m/5hours)12401ft

You will Climb to Syanboche, then trek to two serene Sherpa villages, Khumjung and Khude (3890m) where Sir Edmund Hillary established his first hospital and Khumjung (3790m) where he established a school, both in the early sixties. The Khumjung Gompa possess what is supposed to be a Yeti Skull. (Welcome to the Himalayas!)


P.S. We forced Mo to have her hair corn-rowed for this little adventure, to hopefully make things a little less complicated for her. So, as any good mother would do, I thought I'd throw in a couple of embarrassing photos of the process.
We hired a lady from the Congo, she started at 6:30pm and finished up at 11:30pm. That night Mo did not have a very good sense of humour. But on Day 2 was grateful she had it done.
Just in case your wondering why her hair is so dark; the lady had no idea Mo was white (guess we didn't think to mention that over the phone) and so she only brought black hair extentions.

Fellowship Of The Trek

R, Big T and Mo left on Thursday for their once in a lifetime adventure, hike to Base Camp Everest or as it has lovingly been dubbed by the adolescents of the group; The Fellowship of the Trek. They spent a good portion of their last group hike comparing and adopting characters from the original 'fellowhip' cast from Lord of the Rings. Below you can see what they came up with.

Boromir (Al), Pippin (Matt), Gimli (Big T), Legolas (Mo), Sam (Dave), Frodo (Zac), Merry (Cam), Aragorn (Richard), (Gandalf (Al's Dad) not pictured, but the only one with completely white hair so his character was a given)

(L to R: Al, Matt, Big T, Mo, Dave, Zac, Cam, Richard)

I've decided to try and give a little tidbit each day from their itinerary so anyone who would like to follow along vicariously may do so! The following is day 1-4

Day 1


Welcome to Kathmandu: (O/N @ Hotel Vaishali)

Langtang RI Representative will welcome groups at Kathmandu Airport with a banner and drop them to Hotel. After check-in at the hotel and refreshments, LRT- office management and guide will formally introduce themselves and provide a trip briefing. The rest of the day is to explore the local area.

Day 2


Kathmandu - Lukla fly (2800m/ 45min) Trek to Phakding (2600m/3 hours)

We will transfer you to Tribhuvan Airport for a twin Otter flight to STOL airstrip in Lukla that takes about 35 to 40 minutes. Our trekking crew at Lukla will recieve you. After final preparations, the treking starts passing Chaurikharka village, and makes a descent towards the Dudhkosi Ghat (2530m). the trail follows right back on the Dudhkosi River until camp at Phakding is reached. This first day is short for acclimatization reasons. Walking distance is approximately 4 hours.

Day 3

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3450/ 6 hours)

You will have breakfast around 7, and you will trek along the river crossing it at different points by means of wooden bridges at Benkar (2713 m), Jarsale (2804 m), and two Hillary bridges at the confluence off the Bhotekosi and dudhkosi Rivers. You will stop for lunch near the confluence. after lunch, it is an uphill climb of over 304 meters towards Namche Bazaar. here your Park fees will be checked by the Park Check Post. There are shops, a health clinic, banks, and telephone services. Walking distance is approximately 6 to 7 hours.

Hillary Bridge

Day 4

Rest Day for acclimatization:

You can relax and take a look around the shops and Sherpa houses, observe their culture and life style in this beautiful valley surrounded by high hills and majestic snow-capped mountain peaks. A hike to the Everest View Hotel in Syangboche will be a good option. The rest day is intended for acclimatization purposes.

We have been lucky enough to talk with them a couple of times since they left. They are amazed by the incredible views and have already gotten to see Mt. Everest from their current position. A couple of the boys have gotten sick, Big T being one of them. He told me over the phone he was throwing up yesterday but felt much better today except for the diarrheas! Poor thing. Nothing like having the runs while hiking!

The excitement in their voices is contagious and I wish I was there with them. Who knows, maybe next year...

Condi visits Delhi!

On her somewhat sudden visit to New Delhi promoting solidarity between the US and India, Secretary Rice was gracious enough to devote a few minutes of her time to Embassy personnel and their families. She spoke outside the Ambassadors Residence to about 100 plus Americans and Indian hires. After a brief speech regarding India and terrorism she then stepped down to the awaiting crowd and shook hands and took a few photos.

It's unfortunate that, after two years of Richard being on her personal protection detail I had to come all the way to India to see her up close and personal. But however and wherever it happened I am still grateful for the oppurtunity all the same!

Mo was ecstatic about not only seeing her, but getting to take a picture with her (heck, even I was pretty chuffed about doing that myself!). She has been some what of a role model for Mo ever since she had to write a school report about her way back in 3rd grade.

Richard of course was doing security during the visit so we haven't seen much of him for the last 3 days, but I did get a few snap shots just to show the kids, "Yes that is too your Daddy!"

The white haired guy in some of the pics is the US Ambassador to India, Ambassador Mulford. Not as exciting as the Secretary, as we see him a bit more often but still a great photo op for Mo. She will have an amazing photo album to share with her children some day.

Why is Big T not pictured with the Secretary you ask? I think he was worried that she might not have withstood the aura of his 'coolness'...he is almost 17, need I say more?