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...