Everest Basecamp Trek in Nepal News Blog

Everest Basecamp Trek in Nepal News Blog


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News of our recent expedition: Everest Basecamp Trek Nepal


18 March - We Walked to Kala Patar, 5,545 meters/18,192 feet yesterday, which was fantastic. Then we took a heli from Gorekshep to Lukla Heli and now we are back in Kathmandu.



 

15 March - Everest Basecamp trek update - Today we reached Everest basecamp, which was fantastic.

Everest Basecamp trek update - Today start from the village Lobuche, 4,930 meters/16,175 feet to GorakShep, at 5,160 meters/16,929 feet for lunch, then we are planning to go for Everest basecamp





13 March - Everest Basecamp trek update - Very beautiful views taken on the rest day in Dingboche at 5000m. Amazing weather. Tomorrow we will walk to the village Lobuche, 4,930 meters/16,175 feet. Today we did a little acclimitization hike to 5k.




12 March - Update from Everest Basecamp trek team - Walk along to the village of Dingboche, 4,410 meters / 14,469 feet. Weather looks really nice. All good here.




11 March - Update from Everest Basecamp trek team - We reached Pangboche today. We can see everest. Weather looks perfect and we r staying in tea house from where we can see mighty AmaDablam….



10 March - Update from Everest Basecamp trek team - Everything is just beautiful. We finished our acclimatization hike a few minutes ago. Every day just gets more breathtaking!

Yesterday Everest Base camp Team reached at Namche. Weather was good. Today we will have rest day here.




8 March -  Today our Everest basecamp Trekkers landed safely in Lukla. Now they are in Phakding.


Please scroll down from archive news


3 Nov - We are in Gokiyo Trek. All is well.



Way to Mount Everest Base Camp.



Viewo from Gokiyo - Photo Lakpa



View from Tangboche. Location map at Everest Base Camp.



View from Thukla. At Kalapather. Photo Márcio



At Namche. Tea House at Phakding




Kalapather and Everest Base camp.


 


Mount Ama Dablam. Ama Dablam seen from Pangboche Monastery.








Photo Lakpa Dawa Sherpa


Photo Lakpa Dawa Sherpa


Photo Lakpa Dawa Sherpa


Photo Lakpa Dawa Sherpa


Photo Lakpa Dawa Sherpa


Photo Lakpa Dawa Sherpa


Photo Lakpa Dawa Sherpa



Trekker Name:

  • Dirk L.,   Germany
  • Márcio S., Brazil

Trekking Guide:

  • Nir Kaji Tamang

Read below for Archive News


Our team is now trekking to Everest Base Camp. So far we have only seen one other group with three members. The weather has been sunny during the day and cool at night. Following in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, we are treking the terraced green villages along the Khumbu River Valley up to the massive Khumbu Glacier. We are excited to step foot onto the world’s most famous base camp at Everest. Click Here for information about our upcoming Everest Basecamp Trek Nepal in November, Jan, Feb, March, and April


It was a really exciting trek this year, as we had an unusual "dusting" of snow. Still, our strong Sherpa team helped everyone to persevere and the group all succeeded in achieving their goal of reaching basecamp, bolstered by lots of hot tea, delicious food, and warm comfortable lodges all along the way. We welcome them back to sunny warm Kathmandu and Thanks to Everyone for Visiting Nepal!!!


Blog posts: Please scroll down for more news.



Members at CholaPass. At Everest Base Camp. Kalapather. Photo Leeflang.

26 October - All Everest Trekker made to Everest Base camp and Kalapather. All enjoyed whole trek. It was memorable. All member are safe in Kathmandu now, enjoying the last minute shopping and tour.  Ang Dorjee Shepa 


20 October - Walk from GorakShep, to Kala Patar, 5,545 meters/18,192 feet. Hoping to see The Everest View.



Members taking photos at basecamp. AmaDablam while hiking in Khumbu valley. Photo Daniel


19 October - Walk to GorakShep, at 5,160 meters/16,929 feet for lunch, then we plan to walk to Kala Patar, 5,545 meters/18,192 feet tomorrow early morning.


Glacier Lake in EBC. Photo Haberern  Summit of Kalapather. Photo Keith Bailey


Glacier Lake in EBC. Photo Haberern. Summit of Kalapather. Photo Keith B. 


Team at Lobuche. Photo Keith Bailey  ember walking on the snow trail of lobuche. Photo Keith Bailey


Team at Lobuche. Photo Keith Bailey. Member walking on the snow trail of lobuche. Photo Keith Bailey.  


Keith Bailey & Lisa Smith is at Dhugla. Photo Keith Bailey  Keith Bailey on the trail of Periche. Photo Keith


Keith Bailey & Lisa Smith is at Dhugla. Photo Keith Bailey.  Keith Bailey on the trail of Periche. Photo Keith.


18 October - Today's Tweet from Expedition Leader Dan Mazur: Walk to the village Lobuche, 4,930 meters/16,175 feet.


17 October - Today's Tweet from Expedition Leader Dan Mazur: Pangboche Lama blessed us. Evrst BC team went to Dingboche. Ama Dablam & Islnd Pk team in Mingbo @ 4550 m / 15000 f. Good weather!


Lama Geshe advises Hannah Rolfson. Scary masks and a carved beam support in Pangboche Gompa. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Lama Geshe advises Hannah R. Scary masks and a carved beam support in Pangboche Gompa. Hannah Rolfson Photo.
 Lama's library of prayer books in Pangboche Gompa. Hannah Rolfson Photo Monks praying for the reincarnation of a local climbing Sherpa who died tragically. They will read all of the prayer books on the table during a week of praying. Photo Hannah Rolfson. Paining of Padhmasambhava Buddha in Pangboche Gompa. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Lama's library of prayer books in Pangboche Gompa. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Monks praying for the reincarnation of a local climbing Sherpa who died tragically. They will read all of the prayer books on the table during a week of praying. Photo Hannah Rolfson. Paining of Padhmasambhava Buddha in Pangboche Gompa. Hannah R Photo.
Pangboche lama prepares to conduct his daily prayer. Hannah Rolfson Photo Tall Juniper rees and a pile of prayer stones in old Pangboche Village. Hannah Rolfson Photo Green Tara looks over the Pangboche Temple. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Pangboche lama prepares to conduct his daily prayer. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Tall Juniper rees and a pile of prayer stones in old Pangboche Village. Hannah Rolfson Photo.  Green Tara looks over the Pangboche Temple. Hannah R Photo.

16 October - Today's Tweet from Expedition Leader Dan Mazur: We reached Pangboche @ 3900 metres / 12,000 feet. Gorgeous views of Ama Dablam & Everest!

 
 
 
 


Stupa and AmaDablam close up look from trekking. Pangboche lama.
  

Thanka at Tangboche monastery. Working on Thanka at Tangboche. Photo Daniel 

Hiking and Trekking in Autumn season. Photo Felix.  Click for photo. Daniel. Big Prayer wheel. Photo Jessica.   
  

Mountain Dog resting in cold day outside. Tenzing Norgay and the Sherpas of Everest Sign board. Photo Daniel
  

Tenzing Norgay sign board. Everest Conservation gate. Photo Daniel
  

Landscape. Tea house near Funki Tanga. Photo Daniel.  Visiting AmaDablam Basecamp. Photo  Leeflang
 

Trekking and Hiking in Khumbu Valley. Photo  Leeflang
  

Trekking and Hiking in Khumbu Valley. Photo  Leeflang
  

Trekking and Hiking in Khumbu Valley. Photo  Leeflang

Trekking and Hiking in Khumbu Valley. Photo  Leeflang


  View from Kalapather. Photo Keith Bailey


Everest Trekking team at EBC. Photo Haberern. View from Kalapather. Photo Keith Bailey. 


Yak wears a freshly repaired pack saddle. Hannah Rolfson Photo  Mark Mossholder and Sangeeta Sindhi walking on the Everest Trail. Keith Bailey Photo


Yak wears a freshly repaired pack saddle. Hannah Rolfson Photo.  Mark Mossholder and Sangeeta Sindhi walking on the Everest Trail. Keith Bailey Photo


Dee Haberern enjoying a good book and a warm sleeping bag. Photo by Ron Haberern  Mount Ama Dablam towers above Pangboche village. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Dee Haberern enjoying a good book and a warm sleeping bag. Photo by Ron Haberern. Mount Ama Dablam towers above Pangboche village. Hannah Rolfson Photo.
Ancient vessels, butter churns, and chang pots on a shelf inside the Pangboche Monastery. Hannah Rolfson Photo.  Elaborate prayer posted above the door in the Pangboche Gompa. Photo Hannah Rolfson

Ancient vessels, butter churns, and chang pots on a shelf inside the Pangboche Monastery. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Elaborate prayer posted above the door in the Pangboche Gompa. Photo Hannah Rolfson. 
Brian Rolfson spins the giant prayer wheel in Pangboche Temple. Photo Hannah Rolfson. Doctor Brian Rolfson examines Lama Geshe in his home in Pangboche. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Hannah Rolfson, Brian Rolfson, and Dan Mazur standing in Pangboche Sonam Lodge in front of Everest. Lakpa Gyeluk Photo.

Brian Rolfson spins the giant prayer wheel in Pangboche Temple. Photo Hannah Rolfson. Doctor Brian Rolfson examines Lama Geshe in his home in Pangboche. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Hannah Rolfson, Brian Rolfson, and Dan Mazur standing in Pangboche Sonam Lodge in front of Everest. Lakpa Gyeluk Photo.
General sore in Pangboche along the Everest trail. Brian Rolfson Photo Masks and carved beams inside the Pangboche Gompa. The deity with the large ha on is caled Dorje Lakpa. Photo Hannah Rolfson.

General sore in Pangboche along the Everest trail. Brian Rolfson Photo.  Masks and carved beams inside the Pangboche Gompa. The deity with the large ha on is caled Dorje Lakpa. Photo Hannah Rolfson.

Stringent rules for vistors to Sherpa temples. Hannah Rolfson Photo Seabuckthorne berries make a nutritious juice the local Khumbu people can sell for profit to benefit the local economy with local produce. Photo Hannah Rolfson.

Stringent rules for vistors to Sherpa temples. Hannah Rolfson Photo.  Seabuckthorne berries make a nutritious juice the local Khumbu people can sell for profit to benefit the local economy with local produce. Photo Hannah R.


Hannah Rolfson spins prayer wheels at the Pangboche Temple. Brian Rolfson Photo Pangboche's 600 year old temple rises above the rooftops of the village. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Hannah Rolfson spins prayer wheels at the Pangboche Temple. Brian Rolfson Photo. Pangboche's 600 year old temple rises above the rooftops of the village. Hannah R Photo.
 Boulder carved with prayers lies between two buildings in Pangboche. Note the satellite dish on top and the pile of wild herbs drying at the lower left. Hannah Rolfson Photo Sangeeta meets a family along the path to Everest basecamp. Photo by Tile Nuru Sherpa

Boulder carved with prayers lies between two buildings in Pangboche. Note the satellite dish on top and the pile of wild herbs drying at the lower left. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Sangeeta meets a family along the path to Everest basecamp. Photo by Tile Nuru Sherpa.
Baby yak enjoying a delicious lip licking meal. Hannah Rolfson Photo What is a Yeti. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Baby yak enjoying a delicious lip licking meal. Hannah Rolfson Photo.  What is a Yeti. Hannah Rolfson Photo.
Stupa along the trail to Everest basecamp and Mount Ama Dablam towering in the background. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Yak dung stacked to load into Sherpa stoves. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Stupa along the trail to Everest basecamp and Mount Ama Dablam towering in the background. Hannah R Photo.  Yak dung stacked to load into Sherpa stoves. Hannah R Photo.
The bridge over the Dudh Khosi river above Deboche collapsed in a landslide, wiping out the Ani's water line. Now the sisters of Deboche Convent (Nepal's oldest have no water supply. Photo Hannah Rolfson. Hannah in a twin room at Sonam Lodge, Pangboche. Photo Brian Rolfson Woman collects yak dung and carries it in her basket along the trail to Everest. Hannah Rolfson Photo
 

The bridge over the Dudh Khosi river above Deboche collapsed in a landslide, wiping out the Ani's water line. Now the sisters of Deboche Convent (Nepal's oldest have no water supply. Photo Hannah Rolfson. Hannah in a twin room at Sonam Lodge, Pangboche. Photo Brian Rolfson. Woman collects yak dung and carries it in her basket along the trail to Everest. Hannah R Photo.
 
 Brian and Hannah Rolfson at the entry gate to Tyengboche. Photo Lakpa Gyeluk Sherpa  Puppy enjoys playing with the carpet on the benchesin the teahouse in Pangboche. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Brian and Hannah R at the entry gate to Tyengboche. Photo Lakpa Gyeluk Sherpa. Puppy enjoys playing with the carpet on the benchesin the teahouse in Pangboche. Hannah Rolfson Photo.
Mandala 'wheel of life' on the ceiling of the entry gate to Tyengboche. Photo Hannah Rolfson Lumber carriers on the suspension bridge to Namche. Photo Hannah Rolfson

Mandala 'wheel of life' on the ceiling of the entry gate to Tyengboche. Photo Hannah Rolfson.  Lumber carriers on the suspension bridge to Namche. Photo Hannah Rolfson.
Water powered prayer wheel spins rapidly inside its little house in Fungki Thangka village. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Mount Kusum Kanguru towers above a healthy Hemlock forest on the trail to Everest. Photo Hannah Rolfson Reclining yak and a woman trekking up hill, along the trail to Everest base camp. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Water powered prayer wheel spins rapidly inside its little house in Fungki Thangka village. Hannah R Photo. Mount Kusum Kanguru towers above a healthy Hemlock forest on the trail to Everest. Photo Hannah R. Reclining yak and a woman trekking up hill, along the trail to Everest base camp. Hannah R Photo.
Brian and Hannah Rolson at the gate to Tyengboche Monastery. Lakpa Gyeluk Sherpa Photo Temporary bridge over the Dudh Khosi river. Hannah Rolfson Photo

Brian and Hannah Rolson at the gate to Tyengboche Monastery. Lakpa Gyeluk Sherpa Photo.  Temporary bridge over the Dudh Khosi river. Hannah R Photo.
An interesting name for a tea shop. Photo Hannah Rolfson Monks playing volleyball at Tyengboche Monastery. Hannah Rolfson Photo
An interesting name for a tea shop. Photo Hannah R.  Monks playing volleyball at Tyengboche Monastery. Hannah R Photo. 

Hannah Rolfson beside the Pangboche Lama's throne and ceiling umbrella in Pangboche temple. Brian Rolfson Photo  Tea shop doorway in Pangboche. Hannah Rolfson Photo  Atop Pangboche hill is located a chorten memorial to a fallen climber. Hannah Rolfson Photo


Hannah Rolfson beside the Pangboche Lama's throne and ceiling umbrella in Pangboche temple. Brian Rolfson Photo.  Tea shop doorway in Pangboche. Hannah Rolfson Photo. Atop Pangboche hill is located a chorten memorial to a fallen climber.


 Cute little child in Pangboche plays with the temple doors. Hannah Rolfson Photo  Enchanted forest near Deboche Village. Photo by Maggie Noodle


Cute little child in Pangboche plays with the temple doors. Hannah R Photo.Enchanted forest near Deboche Village. Photo by Maggie N.


A scholarly book written about Sherpa people, life, and culture, written by the famous Henri Sigayret. Photo by Brian Rolfson.  Brian Rolfson poses in front of th altar at the Pangbaoche temple. Hannah Rolfson photo.


 A scholarly book written about Sherpa people, life, and culture, written by the famous Henri Sigayret. Photo by Brian Rolfson. Brian Rolfson poses in front of th altar at the Pangbaoche temple. Hannah Rolfson photo.


Donkey carrying rice to Namche. Maggie Noodle Photo  Jokiyos animal are used to carry loads in khumbu valley.


Donkey carrying rice to Namche. Maggie N. Photo. Donkeys are used to carry loads in khumbu valley. Photo Keith B.


Prayer wheel and a teahouse on the trail to Everest. Maggie Noodle Photo  Sacred Lion statue at the Monkey Temple in KTM. Maggie Noodle Photo


Prayer wheel and a teahouse on the trail to Everest. Maggie N Photo. Sacred Lion statue at the Monkey Temple in KTM. Maggie N Photo.


Prayer wheels at the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu. Photo by Maggie Noodle  Yaks running down the hill in Pangboche. Mount Everest is barely visible behind. Photo by Mark van 't Hof


Prayer wheels at the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu. Photo by Maggie N.  Yaks running down the hill in Pangboche. Mount Everest is barely visible behind. Photo by Mark van 't Hof.


Kongma birds, also known as Himalayan Snow Cocks, munch on grass surrounded by snow. Mark van 't Hof Photo  Limi Sherpa and Maggie. Photo by Maggie Noodle


Kongma birds, also known as Himalayan Snow Cocks, munch on grass surrounded by snow. Mark van 't Hof Photo.  Limi Sherpa and Maggie. Photo by Maggie Noodle.


Carved mani prayer stone along the trail to Everest. Mark van 't Hof Photo  Chortens and mani stones along the trail mirror Mount Ama Dablam. Photo Mark van 't Hof


Carved mani prayer stone along the trail to Everest. Mark van 't Hof Photo. Chortens and mani stones along the trail mirror Mount Ama Dablam. Photo Mark van 't Hof.


Leonard and his porter trekking back down to Lukla. Mark van 't Hof photo  Yaks, drivers, and trekers in deep snow on the way to basecamp. Mark van 't Hof Photo


Leonard and his porter trekking back down to Lukla. Mark van 't Hof photo. Yaks, drivers, and trekers in deep snow on the way to basecamp. Mark van 't Hof Photo.


Woman carrying grass along the trail to Everest Basecamp. Photo by Mark van 't Hof  Lama Geshe the high priest of Pangboche and the upper Khumbu Valley, reads a book. Photo by Mark van 't Hof


Woman carrying grass along the trail to Everest Basecamp. Photo by Mark van 't Hof.  Lama Geshe the high priest of Pangboche and the upper Khumbu Valley, reads a book. Photo by Mark van 't Hof.


Nima Lamu and Sangeeta prepare Dal - lentils for the team at Mingbo Lodge. Maggie Noodle Photo  Sangeeta prepares Dal - lentils for the team in Mingo Lodge. Maggie Noodle Photo  Forest and River in Fungki Thangka on Everest Trail. Photo by Maggie Noodle


Nima Lamu and Sangeeta prepare Dal - lentils for the team at Mingbo Lodge. Maggie Noodle Photo. Sangeeta prepares Dal - lentils for the team in Mingo Lodge. Maggie Noodle Photo.  Forest and River in Fungki Thangka on Everest Trail. Photo by Maggie Noodle


High School in Khumjung, just Above Namche Bazar. Mark van 't Hof Photo  Picturesque Khumjung Village above Namche. Maggie Noodle Photo

 High School in Khumjung, just Above Namche Bazar. Mark van 't Hof Photo.  Picturesque Khumjung Village above Namche. Maggie Noodle Photo


Comfortable hotel courtyard in Kathmandu. Photo Mark van 't Hof  Lukla pilot reviewing his checklist before takeoff at KTM airport. Photo Mark van 't Hof


Comfortable hotel courtyard in Kathmandu. Photo Mark van 't Hof.  Lukla pilot reviewing his checklist before takeoff at KTM airport. Photo Mark van 't Hof. 


Team attends the briefing at Shakti Hotel. Photo by Mark van 'T Hof  Aerial view of golf course and city upon takeoff from KTM airport. Photo Mark van 't Hof


Team attends the briefing at Shakti Hotel. Photo by Mark van 'T Hof.  Aerial view of golf course and city upon takeoff from KTM airport. Photo Mark van 't Hof.


Construction of a new teahouse along the Everest basecamp trek. Photo by Mark van 't Hof  James Barrit standing in front of the gate at the famous Tengboche Monastery. Photo by Maggie Noodle


 Construction of a new teahouse along the Everest basecamp trek. Photo by Mark van 't Hof. James Barrit standing in front of the gate at the famous Tengboche Monastery. Photo by Maggie Noodle.


14 October - Rest day at Namche (3740m.), Mt. Kailash Lodge Namche, centre of Sherpa land for traders (also from Tibet), sellers, trekkers and climbers. We arrived yesterday with rain and mist. It’s still raining now on Monday afternoon.

But that brings you to new adventures. I found myself back last night at a snooker table in Café Danphe Bar – Rock, Blues & Beer. Dan and other fellows of the trek invited me to play and with the push of music of Rolling Stones and a can of Tuborg, whilst I had my first attempt of playing snooker. My name is Mark from Holland (NL, together with my brother Leonard who brings me to base camp) and I’m here for that free standing mountain Ama Dablam, the Matterhorn of Nepal (famous Swiss Mountain, Google on both and see the similarities). With me for this summit are also Saz (UK), Tim (Aus), Jim (UK), Maggie (Aus, UK). With different backgrounds we’re already sharing our adventures of climbing and what we expect of Ama Dablam, ’Lady with Necklace’.

Together with members that have an eye on Island Peak or on Everest Base camp we are 16 in total, from a variety of countries including the above as well as India, Thailand and United States. That gives us stories to tell in the sitting end dining room of our Lodge overlooked by a poster of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, like in most Tibetan houses in and outside Tibet.

The weather forecast has our special attention of course. It tells us (like www.mountain-forecast.compeaksAma-Dablam ) that there will be rain tomorrow, but not so much as today. On Wednesday, when we all walk together from Pangboche to base camp Ama Dablam the rain should be finished. But as it is said, expectations of weather are right or wrong 50 percent of the time. So you can choose what you want to believe.


13 October - Phakding to Namche Bazaar - Early breakfast and 8 am start under overcast skies.  What began as a warm but cloudy day turned into a light rain by late morning increasing to steady downpour by noon.  Some were better prepared for the unrelenting rain which made rocks slippery  and sent rivulets of muddy water down the trail.  We didn’t understand why Dan showed us his umbrella when talking about the equipment to take with us. But after this day we all know why and will look for our own one in Namche.


Monkey Temple in the morning. Photo by Maggie Noodle  Buddha statue at Tengboche monastery on EBC trek. Photo Maggie Noodle


Monkey Temple in the morning. Photo by Maggie Noodle. Buddha statue at Tengboche monastery on EBC trek. Photo Maggie Noodle.


One monkey grooms another at the Monkey Temple in KTM. Photo by Maggie Noodle  Shoppers in Kathmandu. Photo by Maggie Noodle


One monkey grooms another at the Monkey Temple in KTM. Photo by Maggie Noodle.  Shoppers in Kathmandu. Photo by Maggie Noodle.


The eyes of the Monkey Temple in KTM. Photo by Maggie Noodle  Tiny red berries sprinkled by dew along the trail to Everest base camp. Maggie Noodle Photo


The eyes of the Monkey Temple in KTM. Photo by Maggie Noodle.  Tiny red berries sprinkled by dew along the trail to Everest base camp. Maggie Noodle Photo.


 Rosemary and David typing the blog. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo  A large pile of mani prayer stones along the trail to Everest base camp. Hannah Rolfson Photo


Rosemary and David typing the blog. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo. A large pile of mani prayer stones along the trail to Everest base camp. Hannah Rolfson Photo.


Team on the path in Jorsalle. Photo by Ron Haberern  Zopkioks being loaded. Keith Bailey Photo


 Team on the path in Jorsalle. Photo by Ron Haberern. Zopkioks being loaded. Keith Bailey Photo.


Lisa and Dee on the suspension bridge. Keith Bailey Photo  Waterfall on the Everest Trail. Photo by Keith Bailey  Mark and Maggie having a natter in a teahouse in Lukla. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo


Lisa and Dee on the suspension bridge. Keith Bailey Photo. Waterfall on the Everest Trail. Photo by Keith Bailey. Mark and Maggie having a natter in a teahouse in Lukla. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo.


Dee Haberern treats her water with a Steripen. Ron Haberern Photo  Hillary and Tenzing summit Everest. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo  Trekkers on a suspension bridge on the trail to Everest. Photo by Ron and Dee Haberern


Dee Haberern treats her water with a Steripen. Ron Haberern Photo. Hillary and Tenzing summit Everest. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo. Trekkers on a suspension bridge on the trail to Everest. Photo by Ron and Dee Haberern.


Carved prayer stone beside a table and chair along the Everest Basecamp Trek. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo  Waterfalls and grist mills along the trail to Everest. Photo by Ron and Dee Haberern


 Carved prayer stone beside a table and chair along the Everest Basecamp Trek. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo. Waterfalls and grist mills along the trail to Everest. Photo by Ron and Dee Haberern. 


Zopkioks on the trail in Lukla. Ron and Dee Haberern Photo  porter carrying a load of kitchen equipment. Photo by Ron and Dee Haberern


 



Zopkioks on the trail in Lukla. Ron and Dee Haberern Photo. Porter carrying a load of kitchen equipment. Photo by Ron and Dee Haberern.


Plane takes off from Lukla. Control tower on right. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo  Shopping on the streets of Lukla. Keith Bailey Photo

 

Plane takes off from Lukla. Control tower on right. Sangeeta Sindhi Photo. Shopping on the streets of Lukla. Keith Bailey Photo

Team in the plane - Sangeeta, Rosemary, Saz, Jim, Tim, Maggie, David. Photo by Sangeeta Sindhi  Leonard and Dan disembark from the plane in Lukla. Keith Bailey Photo

 

Team in the plane - Sangeeta, Rosemary, Saz, Jim, Tim, Maggie, David. Photo by Sangeeta Sindhi. Leonard and Dan disembark from the plane in Lukla. Keith Bailey Photo.

12 October - Leaving Kathmandu, Everyone up for a 6:30 am breakfast, and 7a.m. departure for the airport. Traffic very light – it’s the Nepalese holiday, called Dashain, where everyone goes home for many days ,perhaps months of  celebration; so the airport was a picture of chaos. According to Island Peak team member Sangeeta Sindhi, in Nepal it is called Dashain, but In India it is termed as Dusserah where Good overcomes the evil . The story goes back to the King of Ayodhya, Dasarath who had 3 wives and four sons, namely Ram, Bharat , Shatrughan and Laxman. Kaushalaya was the first wife of the king whose son Ram was the heir to the throne. His favorite queen Kakeyi wanted her son Bharat to ascend the  throne.   One day , to please his queen the king promised that her son Bharat would ascend the throne. He banished his eldest son Ram to the jungle for 14 years. His wife Sita and younger brother Laxman accompanied him. During Ram’s stay in the jungles, the king of Ceylon Raavan abducted his wife Sita and kept her confined to his palace in Srilanka. His two brothers  helped the king to keep Sita in the palace .To win back his queen, Ram  fought many battles and killed the ten headed king Raavan,  by piercing a poised arrow into his navel. Dusserah is celebrated by burning an effigy of Raavan and his two brothers all over India. It is to celebrate the good that has overcome the evil each year.

Back to the trek: airplanes are so small (only 8 seat each) that the team had to take 2 planes.  The first took off about noon with an American pilot who assured us the weather in Lukla was perfect for flying and landing. (often it’s not)  Beautiful views of Everest from the left side of the plane.  Landing in Lukla 35 minutes later felt a bit like threading the eye of a needle.  It’s built on the side of the mountain so the hillside seemed alarmingly close when landing - quite exciting.  After a 90 minute wait for the rest of the team – and the luggage - to arrive we had a leisurely lunch.

After sorting thru the luggage before it got loaded on the yaks - everyone took off only to be stopped ½ hour later at a checkpoint.  Another wait (these checkposts occur at regular intervals we found) everyone took off once again along a beautiful rocky and rugged trail interspersed with tiny villages which took us down from Lukla, dropping 200 metres / 600 feet. By now it was mid-afternoon and the completion times due to the differet pace levels varied by a few hours. Couldn’t be done without the wonderful help and support of the Sherpas.  Wonderful hot dinner and an early night for all.


Team at the ktm airport- Jim, Saz, Mark, Maggie, Tim, Sangeeta, Rosemary, David. Airport attendant photo Team boarding the aircraft in KTM airport for the flight to Lukla. Ron and Dee Haberern Photo


Team at the ktm airport- Jim, Saz, Mark, Maggie, Tim, Sangeeta, Rosemary, David. Airport attendant photo. Team boarding the aircraft in KTM airport for the flight to Lukla. Ron and Dee Haberern Photo. 


Jim, Mark, Sangeeta, and Maggie considering our luggage at the airport. Photo by Keith Bailey  Plane takes off from the Kathmandu airport in front of Mount Ganesh. Keith Bailey Photo

 

Jim, Mark, Sangeeta, and Maggie considering our luggage at the airport. Photo by Keith Bailey. Plane takes off from the Kathmandu airport in front of Mount Ganesh. Keith Bailey Photo.

Garden in the Shakti Hotel, Kathmandu. Photo by Keith Bailey A large Stupa in Thahity square, Kathmandu. Photo by Keith Bailey


Garden in the Shakti Hotel, Kathmandu. Photo by Keith Bailey. A large Stupa in Thahity square, Kathmandu. Photo by Keith Bailey.
 
Everest Base Camp Trek Team
  • Dan Mazur - Leader
  • Ang Dorjee Sherpa  - Leader
  • Kimberly Fister, USA
  • Mark Fister, USA   
  • Neil Mullins, Qatar   
  • Mark Mossholder
  • Ron Haberern
  • Dolores Haberern

 

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