Hi everyone,
It’s Fiona here, coming to you from Kathmandu.
Trekking Down from Base Camp
Since we last wrote, we’ve had a great trek out from base camp – with the only hitch being that we were separated from the gear that we wanted for the trek and hence couldn’t update the website (or change into fresh clothes either!). It was pretty funny really because we’d painstakingly separated the things we did want into one bag with everything else (mostly Paul’s climbing equipment) packed into 3 bags.
Every night the 3 expedition bags showed up but the trekking bag was nowhere to be seen. Not to worry, it made it to Lukla in the end.
The trek was a lot nicer than last year’s mainly because we had great weather the whole time – last year we had drizzle and rain almost all the way. The days were still quite long but we started early and managed to fit in some good breaks along the way. A highlight was the potato pancake stop that Paul mentioned in his audio update yesterday (accompanied by yak cheese and chilli).
Party Time in Lukla
On arriving in Lukla, we soon realised that many of the people we had gotten to know at base camp were staying in the same lodge as us. Everyone was in a great mood having finished the last of the trek, so pretty soon, the Everest Beer started flowing. We also enjoyed the “yak sizzler” dish that was quite different from the endless combinations of potatoes and rice we’d been having throughout the trek.
Great Flying Weather
Waking this morning at 5:30am, we were very pleased to see that the skies were clear – despite the lightening and thunder last night. This meant that we had a good chance of flying out today. In the Himalayas, planes don’t use radar and won’t fly in cloudy weather. Last year we had to wait a day in Lukla before flying to Kathmandu, but sometimes it can be as long as a week once the monsoon arrives.
Onto Kathmandu
After a quick breakfast, we were told to get to the airport – a very short walk away. We ended up waiting around here for a while but eventually it was our turn to board and we found ourselves sitting nervously on Lukla’s famous runway. Fortunately, the take-off (as well as the rest of the flight), was uneventful and pretty soon we were back in the bustle of Kathmandu.
Organising, but no Flights Onwards Yet
Attila, Reni, Paul and I enjoyed lunch today at a great Indian restaurant that Paul had found on his way in. We spent the afternoon organising various things – sharing photograph and video files, collecting some of our luggage which arrived on a separate flight from Lukla, and attempting to arrange our flights. Unfortunately by the time we arrived at the airline office the queue was so long that they turned us away saying that they would not be serving everyone in line today. So we’re still not too sure what our movements are from here but we’ll get to the airline office early tomorrow and figure it out from there.
More Celebrations
Tonight we were planning on spending the evening at Rumdoodle, but Asian Trekking have just said that they’ve organised some sort of party – so we’ll go to Rumdoodle for a drink so that Paul and Attila can sign the famous wall, and then head to Asian Trekking for who knows what. As well as our group, there were several other Asian Trekking teams climbing Everest – over the course of the climb, we got to know most of them pretty well too.
Messages
Paul and I also spent a chunk of today catching up on reading all of your messages from the past few days. There’s too many to mention but we got a real buzz from thinking of everyone out there and hearing your kind words.
All the best,
Fiona
Thanks for continuing to post updates and pics, Paul and Fiona. Have fun at the Rumdoodle; it’ll be great if you can get a pic of Paul and Attila signing the wall.
Cheers,
Judy
Hi Fi and Paul,
Thanks so much for the continuing updates on your amazing journey. Every year I marvel at the Lukla airport runway pics — whoa, but that looks a bit frightening! I’d love to take the same trek into Base Camp that Fi & Co. took this year — perhaps you all could give me some advice later on trekking outfits of good repute. Imagining a fun time at the Rumdoodle for you all — sign that famous wall and take your place among the Everest legends, Paul! A photo of that is required for us all, you know. Safe journeys from here, enjoy your reunions back home in Australia. And anxiously awaiting more in-depth writings from Paul about his perils in the death zone.
Blessings and cheers,
Mark R
Jill, Dallas, TX
Glad you are back in motorized civilization! Enjoy your time in Kathmandu. Would love to hear more as you have time and energy. I’m starting my post-Everest depression!
Hi Paula nd Fiona,
Still don’t know if you got any of our messages because we never saw them posted.
All that we can say is “enjoy the successful adventure conquering Mt. Evrest.”
Hugs,
Larry and Marianne B
and a safe return home, looking forward to your interesting narratives and images…if you have time a postcard from Katmandu would be fantastic!
address: 529 The Alameda Berkeley Ca. 94707-1615 usa…
Cheers,
WP
Hi Paul and Fiona
I am sure you will have an amazing time at Rumdoodles and also Asian Trekking’s party. So much to celebrate.
Meagan McGrath was just honored by the Asian Trekking president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Ang Tshering, who called her a hero for saving Usha Bista’s life (a female climber from Nepal). She was given bouquets and yellow scarfs used for special occasions. Here is a link to the story.
MC
Hi Paul and Fi
Have fun tonight adding your name to the wall at Rumdoodle Paul!! You deserve it, so make sure you totally bask in the glory! 🙂
We’re looking forward to helping you celebrate when you get back to Melbourne
xx Sammie and Nick
Hi Paul
Your trip this year has been a real inspiration. Congratulations on achieving your Everest. After following your journey last year, I have eagerly waited for the updates this year. It has been great reading as you and Fiona have given a real insight into the challenges and roller coaster ride it must have been for you both.
I have really admired your determination, planning and commitment – a lesson for us all. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement. Wendy Adams
Hi guys, you look really well. Let us know if you end up flying through Sydney on your way home!
Chris
Hey Paul & Fiona
I am so glad you got to experience the potato pancake. That was the recipe I asked for last year on your trekking travels. I guess you didnt come home with the recipe this year??? Plus I would need the yak for the cheese on the top. hmmm yummy! Sonam asked how did Tibet look from the top? Take care you two and many congratulations again!!! Rebecca & Sonam
Hey Paul and Fi-
1. That Yak sizzler was sure good!
2.Good going, glad you’re back at Kathmandu. Make sure to stock up on your Northface gear cause now that both of you have conquered Everest it seems like you wont be seeing Kathmandu for long time from now.
3. Have fun partying with Asia Trekking! Send our love from the trekkers. however, we werent greeted with flowers and scarves, only a scurry of porters asking for tips. i guess you might have done something a little more important though….
– Love, Julia
Congratulations Paul on your ascent, my 3 daughters and I met you on the OVerland Track in Tasmania last December and were inspired by you and Fiona, congratulations to both of you on a successful trip. Michele, Beki, Sophie and Gabbi
Hi Everyone
Sorry to hijack this thread
This is just a reminder that our guide Tarche Lama , will start in the Everest Marathon in less that 1.5 hours time. More info here http://www.everestmarathon.com/ . Im sure we all hope that he makes it ( again ) and betters his place of 26th from last year…he did the whole 42 km from EBC to Namche in 4 hours 39 min….what an achievment…walking time ‘ only’ took us around 16 hours ..thats without the overnights and lunch and chocolate breaks
Good luck Tarche
Cas
I didn’t read what happened about your snow blindness Paul but by the recent phptos, you must have recovered okay. The end now of a wonderful adventure and lots of new friends have been made to keep intouch with. Good on you both Love Aunty Jill
WELL DONE PAUL FANTASTIC THAT YOU MADE IT.
YOU GUYS LOOK REALLY HEALTHY AND WELL.
SAD TO HEAR ME AND KIDS WILL PROBABLY MISS YOU FIONA ON OUR TRIP TO MELBOURNE.
SEE YOU SOON
KARLYNE
hay Fiona&Paul
thanx for the updates i like 2 no wats going on in the world.
ok talk later c ya
cuddlez