Location: Phakding
Altitude: 2600m
Local Time: 17:30
Weather: 20C, Fine in the morning, cloudy now.
Hi, Its Bridget here.
Our day started at 4am and we were efficiently ferried out to the airport,whisked through ladies and gents security queues where a Yeti Airlines STOL (short take off and landing) aircraft was waiting. About 15 of us crammed in, crossed our fingers and took off … steeply. After 30 mins of flying with stunning views of huge jagged mountains, the plane came down very quickly to land on a short uphill airstrip with a mountain at the end of it. Exciting!!
Finding a porter-guide in Lukla
Chris and I set off with Paul to find a porter-guide for our walk. Paul’s pretty much Chris and my manager – negotiating endlessly for good prices on our bags and jackets, tutoring us on baffling and down:feather ratios and interviewing guides. We’ve hired Passang Sherpa for the next 3 weeks and he seems so friendly.
It’s Chris here. We have a great big red duffel bag that Paul negotiated a bargain price for in Kathmandu. It weighs 32kg, and Passang is carrying it plus his own gear with a strap over his head – and he still has to wait for Bridget and I!!
Arrival in Phakding
We have a great lodge to stay in tonight called Prince of Everest for the grand total price of 2 Australian dollars. They have a really cute white dog called Honey. We are the only ones here so we think that the political problems have probably kept a lot of tourists away.
Paul and Fiona are camped down the road by the river. Bridget and I went to see them earlier but we got distracted looking at the great view! So Paul and Fiona have come to our lodge where we are writing this.
Looking forward to a hard day tomorrow! We are ascending approximately 900m to Namche Bazaar.
Cheers, Chris.
Checking for email updates is quickly coming routine already as it is fantastic to be rewarded by such regular entries at this point at least. I’m confused re your excessive luggage carried from home when you report that everything appears to be available there at such low cost…Would you recommend people wait until there to equip themselves? (NOT that I’m needing this information for an intended climb!! Just interested.
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A special cheerio to Mary Adler. We’re all pretty impressed here Mary with your role and with the fitness you obviously have. Best of good fortune to everyone on this fantastic journey. Leila and Harry
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Bridget it sounds fantastic we do not have mountains in Aus. and Chris doesn’t it help to have a local manager. Still no one else can walk the steps or breathe for you. I am jealous and want to be there love Barb
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Hi Fiona and Paul, I’m a armchair mountain climber and I love the fact that I can follow your journey from the beginning! Thank you so much! Good luck and God bless.
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Hi Paul and Fiona!
My wife and I are climbers also, but life right now has me working hard in Medical School in Iowa, USA. It’s fantastic that we can follow your expedition while dreaming of future adventures. I am wholly impressed by your unguided style. Good luck to you both!
Kevin & Molly
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Hi Paul, Fiona, Chris and Bridget. When Brad gave me your website address I knew it would be fabulous, it is way more! Looking forward to following trip. Huge admiration for your courage, and organisation of logistics!!Love to you all, Dee
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Guys this is my new soap – can’t wait for each thrilling episode! Words like motivating, exciting, inspiring etc come to mind (and so does jealous!). Lotsa lotsa love. Shell
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was pleased, but not suprised, to see both of you with beaming smiles on your faces. the pizza looked good -mmmmm! pizza. the plane trip im not so sure about daryl
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Chris, is Passang carrying your snowboard too? Ha Ha, so much snow ahead… Loving the updates and pics guys. Brings a smile to my face every time. Happy trekking, Rich
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We are so very excited for all of you and can’t wait to read your updates. Valerie & Ken Johnson
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Hi Chris, Bridget, Paul and Fiona
Thank you for the updates. Echoing some of the above messages, I too am impressed with all the planning of logistics, self guiding/navigating and overall preparation you do on your own…outstanding! You are true explorers! I did some mountaineering in the Sierra mtns. of Calif., USA. Also rock climbing in the southwestern part of the USA. I’ve been away from it for some time and recently I’ve rediscovered my passion. I will do Kili next year and maybe, just maybe I will do Everest one day. Your journey and all your preparation to get to this point has been SO inspiring. Thank you for sharing this with so many people via your unbelievable web-site. (I just discovered your equipment and gear page. Amazing!)
MC
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G’day Bridg & Chris &Fi and Paul
Okay, I’m convinced – you are actually in Nepal and not sunning yourselves on the Amalfi coast tucking into pizzas! Loved michelin man and woman – that should keep the yetis away. Enjoy the walk – sounds fantastic!
lots a luv, Jan
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What a fabulous site, I am addicted. Good Luck and Enjoy.
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Dear Fiona and Paul,
Thank you for sending your daily updates. It is an amazing journey!! I expected you to get something delicious at the bakery-must be that high altitude baking. Thank for letting Michelle and Jim know that we are sending them hugs and love from NH. I was jumping up and down when I found out you relayed wishes to them. Thinking of all of you there with our hearts and sending along wishes for strong lungs and legs. Cheers! Csrissa and all the NH friends
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