Everest Trek Day 5

Its just before 11am, I'm sitting in my room in Tengboche 3860 metres elevation. I might climb a nearby hill this afternoon just to get past the 4000 mark. This is as far as we come. When I first looked out the window I had a view of Everest. It has clouded in now but the clouds are swirling so I might see it some more today and should tomorrow.

Without even getting out of bed!! This morning was cloudy and after breakfast we set out from Khumjung along the side of the valley. Along the way bumped into a couple guys I had seen at the viewing area in Namche a couple days ago. Andy Rankin and Jonathan Gingham from Wisconsin. After meeting Andy and Jonathan (great name btw), we descended down heaps of stone steps to meet the Dudh Koshi River again. Down is not so good on these old knees. Going back to Lukla could be a bit of fun.

Read more

Everest Trek Day 4

Its 4:45 pm and I feel like it has been a long and great day already.

After totally wiping the battery on the tablet last night reading in bed, I had no alarm to wake me, but I woke at 5:10 anyhow and quickly headed up the hill to the viewing area. I was the only one there for ages. And if yesterday was perfect, then today no word in the English language affords describing the view and the weather. I met a Nepalese who said it was so unusual to have weather like this at this time of year. Thank you Lord I echo. This time armed with a full battery in the camera I snapped off dozens of photos and a couple of panoramic sweeps using the video function.

With the exception of a small amount of cloud in front of Lotche there wasn't a cloud to be seen and none coming for a while either. So I hurried back for breakfast so we could leave just after seven. We headed up and over the rise that divides Namche  from the villages of Khumjung and Khunde. As we hit the top we had spectacular views of Taboche, Everest, Lotche, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, Kusum Khangkaru and many more.

Read more

Everest Trek Day 3

Wow wow wow wow wow!!!!

Up at 4:55 and a brisk uphill walk to the viewing area of many ranges and peaks.

The sky was beautifully clear. I was told later it hasn't been like that in weeks. Thank you Lord. We can see just the top of Everest poking out behind the Lotche Range and about 25-30 kms away as the crow flies. Can you believe it? My camera battery is almost dead.

Took a few on the tablet for immediate uploading but better photos will come. Took some pics with Pat and Mike and met a guy from Cypress up there too. We stayed till the sun hit us which took a long time to make it over the closest range. I could see a spectacular view back down the valley I have come up the past two days. Even saw a plane coming in to land in Lukla. It's now just after breakfast and I might have a bit of a nap and then go for a small explore around town again.

Read more

Everest Trek Day 2

Its 20 past two in the arvo and I'm showered and sitting in my room in Namche Bazar. We have climbed to height of 3440 metres. I guess that's the highest I've ever been before.

My guide forgot my sleeping bag and thought I didn't want walking poles. Well blankets will suffice and he found a walking stick for me and I am quite appreciative of it.

Breakfast was rather meagre this morning. We headed out about 7:30 and continued along the Dudh Koshi River crossing it a number of times on suspension bridges. The sides of the valley are very steep and well forested with pines and some rhododendrons. All along the way are porters carrying huge loads. Where ever I go now I am becoming more and more aware that everything built here was carried in. Sheets of glass, timber, iron roofing, pool tables. Watching these porters I am impressed with what they carry and how they do it. They have basket on their back with a rope over their forehead. The basket can be loaded to 70+ kgs!

Read more

Everest Trek Day 1

My day started too early, well I never really made it to sleep for one reason or another.

A little after 5:15 we had a frantic journey to the airport where it seems like a bit of a circus to get on our plane and not miss it even though we have tickets.

The plane must have had about 10 people and a stack of luggage. I was sitting on the left side under the wing with an amazing view of the Himalayan Range. The camera couldn't do it justice thru the plane window. The last 5 minutes of the flight we thread our way into a steep and narrow valley and suddenly we are flying towards the side of the hill. In front is a runway I estimate to be about 100 metres long.  It is fairly steep upwards. We hit the runway hard and roar along it towards a stone wall and pull up about 10 metres before it. Guess the pilot had done it before, I watched a couple take off as well as one other land.

It was noticeably cooler with the feel of alpine or mountain air. We wandered along a track above the top of the runway and stopped for tea and breakfast in one of many simple restaurants come accommodation houses.

Read more

Monthly Update September 2012

OVERLOAD ON GLOBAL/SOCIAL NETWORKS

I feel like my emotional bandwidth is running above capacity and the friendship load is about to give a message: "error, your interaction has timed out!"

What is a true friendship? How do you maintain a true friendship? Can a person have too many friends? How do you say good bye and how do you stay in touch?

It is possible I am over-cooking this issue as it is pertinent to my life's situation right now. But I want all of my life to have the ring of "real" about it, and that includes friendships. I said goodbye to a lot of friends whom I will probably not see for at least 2-3 years. A couple of friends drove a long way last night to say goodbye even though they had to be gone by 5 the next morning. What does it mean to me? I must admit I have never been so thankful for Facebook!

Read more

Monthly Update August 2012

SELFISH GENEROSITY

To be described as generous is for me a very high compliment. And at times I have been told this. However I believe I live an oxymoron in this regard. I am happy to give, but on my terms. I am happy to sacrifice, a little, yet still live comfortably. I am happy to compare myself with my peers who I consider to have more or live more extravagantly.

I left my home culture in 2004 and made some sacrifices. Over the ensuing years I became comfortable in my level of sacrifice and generosity. Now what should I give? I don't know. But I have been convicted recently that I am too caught up in seeking my own comfort. As Blaise Pascal said, "All men seek happiness." That is our natural bent.

What is my motivation in being generous? What is yours? I fear that often I seek the applause of men rather than the unseen applause of heaven. I want to pour my life out as an offering.

WHERE'S WALLY?

Read more
Syndicate content