Sue Ryder Care – Everest Charity Trek

Everest Base Camp – We all made it!!

Thats right, today we set out for a 10 hour round trip to base camp and I am very happy to say that EVERYONE made it!

There was a few tears at this very emotion moment but through a combination of sheer will power and team spirit every single member of our group got to stand at the base of the highest mountain on earth!

We are now back at Gorak Shep and everyone is safe and sound, if not a completely drained from a mammoth walk.

Tomorrow, for those who are up for it, there is a summit attempt of Kala Patthar to watch the sun rise over Mt Everest.  It’s a 4am start and those that try will then have to catch up those who don’t.

After that we start our decent back to Lukla where the party begins!

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Lebouche – 36 hours away from base camp

Just a quick post as it is cold and we are all quite tired.

Long walk today across some more stunning scenery and some big climbs – yes more up!

At the top though of our climb we were treated some beautiful momuments to some of the best explorers, sherpa, and guides of the area. Each plaque tells a different story and each one is quite moving, if not for the words, but for the accomplishments they achieved.

Early start tomorrow though – 4am. We have to hike to Gorak Shep then straight on through to BASE CAMP!

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Dingboche – the campsite with the best views in the world!

Woke up this morning to a 360 degree vista of snow capped mountains and huge valleys – where did they come from!

As today is a rest day, we were treated to a lie in (7am – wow, they do treat us!).  A domestic morning for most, washing knickers, pants, sock, etc – the smell was getting to a few!

After a leisurely breakfast, we started our acclimatisation walk to 4600m. This was about a 3 hour round trip up the valley on the route will we take tomorrow.

This afternoon we are back at camp for a some free time  to chill out and read, drink tea, more washing, and even a game of cards – Raj our Nepalese leader has taught us a new game that has us all hooked! Suffice to say bet have been placed and we have ever converted Laura (the non gambler) who is now in profit! Must be beginners luck!!

It is also Mr Robert Normans’ Birthday today (he kept it quite) – Happy Birthday mate!

Tomorrow we start approach to 4900m where base camp with be in touching distance.  Will update when we can, so wish us all luck and keep send those good thoughts.

P.s
Message to Mrs Hayward – Guy says can he have a clean shirt for Monday please – dont shoot the messenger.

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Debuche to Dingboche – 4400m

Another bright and breezy start – chilly as well! We crawled out of our tents to amazing views of the mountains all around.  We set off at a gradual climb with the view getting better and better with ever step!

The route followed the glacial rivers, the water is fast rapids and a bright blue, like toothpaste (according to Laura).

A lot of ups and downs on this path, but after crossing the river we found it leveled out and we were able to enjoy some amazing vistas!  – Again photos to follow.

We have broken the back of the alpine level and we are now above the tree line we clear views of Everest and Lohste.  A few more cases of altitute sickness, mainly headaches, dont fret our doctor is on hand and is very good!

An early night for most, but suprisingly warmer than the one before.

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Debuche – A long way from Namche Bazaar

Another early morning, but we are getting used to them now, we packed up our kit and hit the trail.

Jez, our trek leader, promised us that today would give us the best scenery so far and he wasn’t wrong.  Following a winding trail around the edge of the mountains ever corner presented a new photo opportunity – you’ll have to wait and see as the internet is again very slow.

Stopping for an early lunch everyone was in good order, a few headaches but nothing serious, we were briefed that there would be a steep ascent to the monestary at Debuche.

The climb was long, but a good steady pace ment we all made it in good spirits.  The monestary looked beautiful and a few of us went inside and watch the monks at prayer, a life changing experience for some of us.

The cloud set in very quickly and everyone wanted to get the campsite, but there was still time for cake at the bakery!

Tonight was proving to be the coldest yet as we were camping above cloud level but fortunately there was a tea house with a roaring fire. Alas we all had to go back to our tents for a shivery night. HEY HO – at least the stars were amazing.

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Rest day (or was it?!) – this could be the last post for a while

After a lie in (7am!) and breakfast we set of for an acclimatisation walk around the ridge line of Namche. After a grueling acsent up to 3900m we caught our first glimpse of our target, Everest.

Epic!

This could be the last post for a while as we now head of in to the wilderness. Who know’s what’s ahead (apart from the mountains of course).

Wish us luck. Keep an eye our for our next post.

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Trek to Namche Bazaar

A long and tough day ahead we all have a hearty breakfast of very gloupy porridge. We packed our bags, checked our days sacks, and set off.

In the mean time our Sherpa and porter support team were busy packing up camp, loading the yaks. Not long afterwards they overtook us ready to make us lunch.

The morning’s trek was gradual at first, but make no mistake we were starving by the time we got to our lunch stop at 11.30am.

An hour or so later we set for a steep climb – this route is the highest we climb in the shortest period and for many this is the highest we have ever been, 3400 meters. Altitude sickness symptoms starting to kick in for some – headaches,. nausea. But all arrived at Namche safe and sound.

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Lukla landing and 1st days trek

After only 4 hours sleep since leaving Heathrow we all got up at 4 am, shower, pack, breakfast and leave the hotel by 5.15 ready for an early flight with Yeti Airlinesto Lukla, an airstrip known for its ridiculously short runway and the odd fatal crash (see Youtube – Lukla landing).

The views on the flight were mind blowing, even if the plane’s technology wasn’t! We could see snow capped mountains, the clouds filling the valleys below us, and as we scooped over mountain edges it felt like we could almost tough the trees below.

After a scary landing and a cup of tea we met our Sherpa team and our yaks. A quickly briefing later, we hit the trail!

8km, stunning views and 6 hours later we hit the camp site. Photo’s to follow.

Shock horror, a gambling team extraordinaire happened upon an unsuspecting group of Nepalese hustlers playing dice, money was exchanged. Nepal 1, Gala Coral 0. 

Our amazing support team who had already set up camp, dug our delightful squat and drop toilets and made us tea, then knocked us up a lovely meal.

Despite being exhausted many of us settled down to a game of cards that involved spoons – who knew!

Of to bed, we have an early start tomorrow

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Landed in Kathmandu

We’ve landed in safely in Kathmandu, all slightly exhausted and looking forward to a shower.

It is the Hindu festival of light – Divali, so the city is lit up in a sea of colour, there are fairy lights and candles everywhere, beautiful.

The journey from the airport to our hotel was interesting to say the least. An old clapped out bus picked us up, our bags firmly planted on the roof. We set off a precarious journey dodging cars, mopeds, bikes, dogs, people and anything else that cared to get in the way. At first we thought the driver had some techno music on the radio, but we soon realised this was the constant beeping of his and everyone else’s horns.

Arriving at our last bit of luxury, our hotel, we soon met Raj and Jez, our trek leaders. We had a quick briefing, and then sat down as quickly as possible for some desperately needed dinner, ready for any early night to get up for a 4am start.

Bahrain

Just about to leave for Kathmandu!!

Nearly there…