Location: Khumjung
Altitude: 3790 meters
Weather: Fine in the morning, then cloudy
Hi everyone, Beck here,
It was easy getting up early this morning, packing my gear having breakfast as I was looking forward to the day ahead. I am now feeling much better, especially after a rest day in Namche Bazaar, and today we had a morning tea stop planned at The Everest View Hotel!
Getting Going
From Namche Bazaar, we hiked up 250 meters to the airstrip and arrived there just in time to see a helicopter land, drop off wood and roof panels and take on other cargo. We were all really glad that we were wearing our face masks by then, as the landing stirred up so much dust it was like being in a sand storm.
The Everest View Hotel
Two hours after setting out we arrived at The Everest View Hotel. This rather swish hotel boasts spectacular views of Mt Everest and has rooms for US $160 a night, (about 40 times more than what have been paying each night), so we decided to just enjoy the view and a cuppa this time.
The views of Mt Everest and Ama Dablam did not disappoint, but for me being at this hotel was a significant milestone of the trek so far, as I was very impressed by the photo of Paul, Fiona, Chris and Bridget taken here last year.
Khumjung
A short 15 minute walk down the valley from the hotel, we arrived at Khumjung, our base for the night and the home town of our sherpas Ang Nima and Pemba.
I felt quite privileged to be here as the town is slightly off the normal track, and there is nothing like being shown around by locals. We visited the school where both Ang Nima and Pemba went, however unfortunately we arrived on a public holiday and no classes were on.
The school is made up of about 10 separate rooms, and peeking through the windows we could see that they teach science, library and english and other disciplines. We were able to read a job application letter written in English hanging on the wall of the English room. Marg commented that it was of a particularly high standard for ESL.
At the end of our tour of Khumjung, we were taken to meet Ang Nima’s family including his 8 month old baby girl and the home of his mother. His 68 year old mother lives in a traditional 2 storey house in town, where the cattle are kept downstairs and the people live above them. We were greeted by hot lemon tea, and were presented with kata (silk scarves) by the mother. To say thank you for their hospitality, Denise offered to take a photo of Ang Nima and his mother and to later send them a copy. They eagerly accepted and their delight at seeing themselves on the screen was a lovely moment for us all.
Your Messages
Thanks everyone for your support and good wishes.
Ann and Graham, good question about the lodges. Last year Paul and Fiona stayed in tents on the way to BC which was IMG’s decision, but this year as we are not as tough as them, we decided to stay in the relative comfort of lodges.
Well that’s all for now,
Beck.
Dearest Julie-A! Sounds like you are having an amazing time- this is really such a special oppurtunity, soak in every minute of it!!! I love you and wish you lots of luck!!! Take lots of pics!!! Mwah!
I think the ladies + 1 meant to include this photo of the helicopter landing:
http://www.myeverest.com/files/u7/helicopter_1.JPG
We will edit the post just as soon as we figure out how!
Tim.
Done. Nick G.
well done, interesting reading & images …. look forward to more insights and observations along the trail.
wp
How r u ? Is the trekking good? Is the view of Everest amazing? I miss u alot. It’s really nice to see u on the picture. Chelsea are playing and uncle Mauro is here to watch the match with us. No score at the moment.
from luca
wie geht es dir denn. haben das foto gesehen. alles ok? wo seid ihr denn schon?
schöne Grüße aus hamburg, tutti, daniela, cyrus und Kiyan
Dear Liz, I just love that photo from the Everest View Hotel and it will be great when the real helicopter picture is in place – what a dramatic shot. Regards to everyone – as every day goes by I become more and more envious. However, today I have to give my paper at the higher Ed technology conference and being the sort of person I am my two primary references are from 1945 and 1837! It might be something a bit different. How are you finding the altitude? Looking forward to a quiet weekend – it will be fine so I will be on the bike.
Lots of Love …. Gavan
PS Glad to see the chocolate going to good use – and the chimplins are doing fine.
PS Tim – great job with the web site but is there a way of browsing or threading backwards though the postings? (or am I just blind)
Hi Beck and company,
The Hotel seems to be a really great place to stop and have a “cuppa” ! I love the various photos I have seen taken from this point in the trek. Thanks for the answer about the tents vs. lodges, we are looking into a trek in the future so the more info the better!
Thanks again, Ann and Graham
Hi Gavan, You can find them here:
http://www.myeverest.com/node/503
Also if you are on the main page of Paul’s site – you can find the latest 3 posts and after the third one you can see a link referring also for this subpage. it says: See a list of all the updates here. Great collection, so far you can find a lot of posts – and many of them are still ahead:)
Rgrd,
Mira
PS: Tim, just a suggestion hope you don’t mind. If you can do it, I think it would be useful to put the date after each post – now you can just find the title of them – also which post belongs to whom (Paul/Fiona)
Hey Beck, just great to get a post from you. Mare and I are so pleased that your feeling so well now. Great going!! We are still waiting to get a acceptable tennant for the house, but the apartment is really looking fantastic. Should have the window furnishings in soon, but the new carpet looks mighty. We have been getting some good rain here in Victoria and the farmers are starting to get happy and talking about planting new crops. Perhaps the drought has really brocken. Do pass on our regards to all in your group with a special pat on the back to Julia … we are so impressed with her. Also tell her that the golf balls she gave me are really working and gave me my best round of golf ever last week!! I am missing my little coffee drinking mate. Lots of love Dad and Mare.
Hi Marg, girls and Cas,
Thanks for the update Beck – it’s great that you’re feeling better. Sounds like you’re all having a great adventure. The photo at the hotel is special. Also since noone has mentioned any troubles with the altitude I assume that everyone’s handling it ok.
Things have been fairly busy here. Leah’s still finalising details for the move and trying to sort out color options, floor coverings, lighting etc. And I took a plunge yesterday and bought a new TV! Hope you like it Marg…
Keep up the great work
Love, Neil
Hi Marg,
Rapt to hear its all going well and you’re keeping fit and healty and forging ahead! The photos are amazing and enjoying the updates. We’ll get around to feeding Neil one night, we hear his freezer is empty 😉 …doubt it! Sounds like he’s blowing the super fund on mega TVs!
Stay safe and healthy.
Love Kay & the scribe 😉
Hi Fiona and crew
Sounds like you’re having a good trip in, great post Beck. Love the photos.
Hi to Paul, we’re chuckling at your descriptions of eating heaps and doing spots of engineering work around camp, all sounds good. Have a great 2nd trip up the mountain and hope Lhakpa gets better soon.
Things going well in Sydney, even though Chris seems to managing to hit himself on the head with his new surfboard a bit!!
Look forward to hearing more about your respective hard slogs up different parts of Nepal,
Bridge and Chris
Dear Liz and the trekkers,
I have at home the two volume Polunin and Stainton Flowers of the Himalaya, so if you have a plant that you would like identified, post a photo and I could give it a go.
Love … Gavan
🙂 thanks for this great pic of the helicopter
Mira
Hi Beck,
Good post, sounds like you are all having fun. Meals & Dame don’t have details for your Visa but I’m pretty sure the one I have is correct so I will put money in it tomorrow. The one I have starts with 4940, do you think this is the right one? You happy for me to make the payment?
Hi to everyone else and keep having fun.
Lou
Hi ..mate .. 24 here today and very sunny. More like July than early May. Have not seen a reply from you yet so I hope you are getting my messages. Tempted to go all the way or is that the next trip. I see Luca is keeping you up to date the the CFC scores. When will you get to base camp. Seen some of the pictures posted on the site.. looks ummmm different to say the least. Let me know how your getting on .. SYHC..
Marc.
Great job Tim, Nick and Cassra; nice group effort! MC
Once again, beautiful photos. I love the one of the helicopter landing; spectacular! What an enjoyable trek for all of you. Wishing you continued success as you make your way toward BC. Fiona, you must be excited to see Paul!
Stay healthy,
MC