Location: Dingboche
Altitude: 4262 metres
Weather: Mainly fine, clouding over in the afternoon
Hi everyone, it’s Liz here.
Rest Day in Dingboche
We managed to fit in a range of activities today. Some of us slept in, had hot showers and caught up on domestic duties like washing. Meanwhile, Cas and I, the early risers, had breakfast of oat porridge, Tibetan bread and honey and tea with Pemba before heading to Chhukung, a two hour walk away.
Chhukung and Beyond
While we were enjoying tea at the lodge we met Graham Hoyland from the BBC and cameraman David Rasmussen. They are producing a film about the Extreme Everest climbers and will be following them to the summit if all goes well. They had come down from Base Camp for a few days to ‘fatten up’ because they had been losing too much weight at Everest Base Camp. Asked what they ate, it is Yak Steak! Interestingly, that was also what the doctor at the HRA had for lunch. More about our trrek from Chhukung later.
Himalayan Rescue Association
Fiona, Beck, Denise, Marg and Julila trekked over the hill to Pheriche to listen to a talk given daily about the dangers of high altitude and the processes involved in acclimatisation. It is a timely reminder of what to watch for in each other and our sherpas and porters as we head to 5000m. Fiona had her oxygen saturation tested there. It is a guide to how a person is handling altitude and hers was a very pleasing 95% so we decided that we would all take that as a good sign that we are all doing OK.
Imjo Tso
Pemba, Cas and I followed the Imjo River valley hoping to see the huge Imjo lake. Despite Pemba carrying my pack, I was going snail pace so we we climbed up a short pile of moraine and saw the lower end of the lake. We had made it to 5000m and turned back for lunch at Chhukung before setting a brisk pace downhill.
Messages
Thankyou every-one for all your messages. Because of the difficulties of charging batteries and with our large group, we won’t be able to reply individually each night but we really love receiving them and they make up a very jovial part of each day as we read them out loud to each other.
That’s all for now. Liz.
A Special Message to Stefano
Dear Stefano we all wish you a very happy 8th Birthday and hope that you have a brilliant day. We will all be thinking of you.
From,
Daddy and the rest of the group
Dear everyone,
Just finished replying to Friday’s posting and then saw Liz’s entry. Not sure if my reply for Friday is therefore obsolete and not read
Your energy is amazing – you make a 2 hour hike sound like a trip to the supermarket! I went to Ikea today and felt tired after climbing a flight of stairs to the showroom!
Glad to hear that Fiona’s oxygen saturation is so good -she and Denise must be feeling OK if they walked to hear the talk on acclimatisation. I knew that Marg would soldier on , washing at every opportunity as the photo records.
What home comforts are you missing most ? All your facilities sound excellent , although I’m sure even the most dedicated trekker must tire of the repetitive diet?
We are thinking of you all and sending positive thoughts for a
comfortable and safe arrival at Base Camp.
Love Sandy and John
Hi Liz and team,
Was there a picture of Imjo Lake in the post? It appeared to be a lake and is really different to see the contrast of the snow and ice against the rocky scree and dark rock.Thanks for the constant updates!
Ann and Graham
hi daddy how r u . Have u eaten Yak steak yet? How was ur trek to Chhukung? We’re going to look it up on the internet to see what it looks like. How did u cope with the altitude? Does it make you feel sick? Did u get the BBC man’s autograph for me?
My new room is looking good, we’re waiting for my new bed to arrive next week and then I’m going to move in. I had a sleep over at Patricks yesterday and we’re going riding together on Bank Holiday Monday.
Seems like ages that u have been away, miss u lots.
from luca (way under 40)
hey paul how r u doing so far and r u haveing fun i hope u r
from ur friend from Q.E.C.V.I jennifer
Hi Everyone,
You are all doing so well. Great to see the photos and to see that Marg is still doing the washing!. Marg, I will make sure that Betty sees your photos on screen. I have been in touch with her regularly and she has loved receiving the print outs from Neil. Soldier on girls, plus one. You are doing a mighty job. Margaret’s side of the family are all following the adventure.
Glenda.
Hi Everyone
Great photos by you all! What an amazing journey and a fantastic website that allows us to follow you and communicate so easily. Sunday morning here, sleep in, reading papers and basking in another football victory – sounds a bit more relaxing than what all of you are up to. Good luck and continued good health as you get closer to base camp.
Love Maureen
Dear Liz and the trekkers, Wow! 5,000m and still moving – well done. Beautiful day here so I spent the day in the garden with the snails. My poor ‘Trek’ has not been out for over a week – it does not like riding without its buddy. However, I did take the ‘red dragon’ out yesterday – it is a such a joy – I picked up a few admiring looks but no real Vespa moments – however, I was just going to the local super for some cream and bread rolls. Mama and Papa are well – Audrey is going to drop over during the week with another casserole – and to have a look at the photos in colour! All well here – Arlie is at work and Davis is studying but he did go Shiraz tasting this afternoon – roast lamb for dinner tonight! Keep well and make sure you have some charge in those cameras for Base Camp. Lots of love …. Gavan, the chimplins and our poor old incontinent puss.
Thank you for calling me yesterday to wish me happy birthday and thank you for the special message. I was so excited yesterday that Felice and I got up at 4.30am to open my presents. Mummy was grumpy because I woke her up. I had a lovely day playing with the new football net you bought me and scored lots of goals against Felice. Sophie came to look after us and we had my favourite coconut chicken, which sophie is taking back to university for her dinner.
How are you doing? Are you climbing well and have you seen any ice falls? Is the weather good, it’s a bit cold here but the sun comes out in the afternoon which is good, so I can play football in the garden.
Big kisses, miss u lots. Stefano
Hello Marg and Fiona,
Wont be too long now before you’re up there with Paul. You have been coping really well with the climb, so keep up the good work. I love the photos- keep them coming and keep well yourselves. We’ll miss you so much next Sunday Marg, but Fiona can claim you, boo.
Love Mum xoxo
Hi girls plus 1
Great reading all your updates…it brings back so many memories- although Marg, you are much cleaner that I was… I didn’t do my washing until I got to Base Camp (although I did have it done at Namche and saw it all being dried on the roof outside my room!!)
Hope you are feeling better Fiona- I am sure everyone there and on line will be offering you advice re your health!!
Just loved your message Julia- it really made us laugh!!
We have just come back from seeing Ron (who sends his love) and Dame (and seeing Dame’s photos- it all brought back so many memories ) and Beck and their beautiful wedding album. He sure looked a lot smarter in the album that he did after a few days trekking!!!
Not long now until you catch up with Paul- we loved his audio
lots of love
John and Mary
hi how r u. hope u r well. miss u alot.
from luca(way under 40)
So nice to see that everything is going well, beautiful pics and you seem very poised. Your tummy seems to also have been very cooperative for a change which is very good news and it doesn’t sound like you’re coming back looking like a yogy after all! We missed you yesterday for Tapanino’s Bday, we had a good chat with him just before he blew his candles but didn’t get to get together, will do some time soon. Other news is that France will not be run by a woman yet as Sarkozy made it with over 53% votes. Not your main concern of course but just to keep you posted! Mamie and Ameh all say hi and ask about you regularly and Freddie and the boys say hi and are very happy to see you going on so well.
Lots and lots of Love
Kiki
Hallo Cassra,
viele liebe sonnige Grüße aus Hamburg. Es geht uns allen gut. Kiyan gibt uns gerade eine harte Zeit: er hat das Krabbeln für sich entdeckt. Das alleine ist ja noch nicht so schlimm. Aber gleichzeitig kann er in seiner Wiege alleine knien. Und da ist es mit dem Stehen nicht mehr lange hin. Jetzt müssen wir quasi über Nacht ein Bett für ihn finden, damit er uns nicht aus der Wiege heraus springt. Cyrus geht es auch gut. Es sieht mit seiner neuen Brille wirklich super schick aus. Steht ihm sehr gut. Tutti guckt gerade das WM Finale im Snoocer und schläft wie immer auf der Couch ein 🙂 Wünschen Dir noch eine aufregende Zeit und viel Glück. Bis bald Daniela und die Schahbasi Boys