Location: Gorak Shep
Altitude: 5100 meters
Weather: Low cloud / fog for most of the day.
Hi guys Beck here, reporting from Gorak Shep. Our big news is that there’ll be only one posting tonight as we’ve finally met up with Paul! After getting down from Camp 2 to Basecamp by around 9:30am, he had some breakfast, showered and trekked out to meet us.
A Slow Start
We left Lobuche this morning after a long breakfast, expecting a relatively easy walk to Gorak Shep to catch up with Paul.
The group was generally feeling better, maybe it was because we had spent two days at Lobuche which is at a fairly high altitude.
We left Lobuche, starting off very slowly (which is common for our group), and after only an hour walking, we were all still going pretty slowly, so Fiona raised our spirits with a block of Cadbury chocolate! It did the trick and soon enough we had climbed up Lobuche Pass and were all posing for silly photos. As we were trekking, some of us took advantage of certain ”toilet rocks” that our Sherpa suggested.
First Views of Base Camp
A little further along and we had our first glimpses of Everest Base Camp and the ice fall. We could even make out a few of the tents of EBC. My thoughts very quickly turned to Paul, as we knew that he was making his way down to BC from C2 today.
Gorak Shep
Eventually we arrived in Gorak Shep, with the aid of another chocolate break. We all agreed that our day’s trek was a lot harder than we initially expected… maybe it was the football sized rocks that we were constantly having to step over or the first trekking day of cold weather, but we were all very happy to finally make it to our lodge.
Reunion with Paul
In Gorak Shep we received word from Paul that he had made it safely back to BC and would be joining us at our lodge later in the day. We all sat by the window eagerly waiting for Paul to appear. After a few false alarms Paul finally arrived wearing, to our dismay, only pants and a t-shirt – as we were tucked-up inside wearing numerous layers, drinking tea and complaining about the cold (obviously he is better adapted to the cold than us). It was lovely to see Paul looking so fit and well, especially after only returning from his rotation this morning. We spent the afternoon catching up with Paul and swapping trekking stories.
Tomorrow we are hoping for a clear day as we are going to get up early and climb Kala Pattar, where we should see great views of Everest. It will be great to have Paul along for the trek, although he will have to slow to our pace of walking.
Cheers,
Beck
PS – We heard today on the porter-wire that our guide Ang Nima had to go to the hospital in Khunde and will be out of action for a least 5 days. Sounds like it was lucky he headed down when he did. We hope to see him somewhere on our trek out.
Messages
Tamara and Boris –
Hey Mom and Dad. It’s nice to hear your motivating messages. Only a short time left before I will be home. This simply has been just an amazing trip and experience as well. See you soon in Jacksonville.
– your daughter, Julia
J and M –
Thanks so much for the lollies, they have a been a big pick-me-up along the way. It’s also nice to see your messages and especially, Mary’s input from her trek. Nice… ”Hills are alive from the sound of your voice…” We thought of you when we did took our jumping photos.
– American(Australian) daughter, Julia
Hi Dad from Denise,
Great news about your PSA levels! Thanks for letting me know and great message. Having a great time, see you in a few weeks. Love Denise.
Thanks Gary (gazzanic) for sorting out the GPS readings! Sounds like everyone’s really appreciating having this info available.
Paul.
Hi Lou, Good question re the audio recordings. I actually have a separate device – an Olympus voice recorder which I carry on me as well and record these updates onto. Also, you might be interested to know that now that we’re in Gorak Shep, there’s a dog here that looks exactly like the one that made it up to Camp 2 last year (and ate the 30 eggs!). There’s still no dogs hanging around basecamp (or climbing) this year though. Paul
WMPopper – we’re not sure exactly how cold the streams here are but they’re waaayyy too cold to swim in up here! No need to pack bathers…
Thanks everyone else for your messages – I am really pleased to now have this Camp 3 rotation behind me. Now for some rest and then waiting for the right time for a summit bid. Paul.
Now there’s a pair of happy grins! Priceless photo of you, Paul and Fi – lovely to see you reunited. Enjoy the rest of your time on Everest together. Thinking of you guys as always.
Hi to one big happy group!
Great to hear you’ve been reunited and, Paul and Fiona, you both look so happy. Congratulations to all of you!! I’ll be listening out today for you on the radio Paul. Thinking of you all back here, Jacqueline x
Hi Paul, Fiona and co.
The photo of the two of you says it all. Hooray!!!!! I love that I can now say “hi Paul and Fiona”!
Well, Paul, your support team has arrived. The Adler army is following. You have done everything possible to ensure an Everest summit! I believe with all my heart that nothing will stop you now! Wishing you continued health and a great “weather window”.
Sincerely,
MC
Hi there! Great to see you looking so happy and energetic! Keep up the enthusiasm. Zac and Zoe are very well – Zac has his nose in the pool fishing for tennis balls, and Zoe is lying on the floor having a relaxing doze…..Love Gabe
Cas,
Glad to see you have just about reached BC.
Am looking forward to the slide show when we catch next…wherever that may be. (January 2008 I suspect)
Presume you will carry a BC rock (1 kg should be good) back to London as a souvenir for the pool room?
Stay well!
Peter and family
Hi Girls +2 now!
What a great reunion it must have been- the excitement shows up on your faces!! Well done- Think of me when you get up to Kala Patar- it was the one thing I regretted not doing so am thrilled you guys are going to.
It was Zoe’s turn this morning and she and Zac and send their love-
Will be tuned into Lindy Burns at 4.30-you could do an Ausie/American variety show!
Neil is coming tonight for dinner and as Max and Judy are staying wth us it will be a good night (I have a special treat in mind for dinner!!) We will toast you all!!
lots of love
Dad and Mare
how cute! hehehe, Jac
Nice pictures guys! You all look great and healthy. I’m thrilled to hear you’ve now met up with Paul. Take it easy up there. I hope you are now all well and truly better.
Hugs and kisses, Leah
Dear Liz.
Gavan has just given us a ‘tour’ around the website and we’ve seen your photo of a few days ago so we know you are really there (we think, though you could be hoaxing us with this modern technology). First stage furniture shifting happening here but we will have to feed the mob before we get anymore done….next week….hope they can surviv till then. Your great adventure looks wonderful….will keep watching.
Love N&M
Glad to see the photo of you both reunited! Wonderful job so far, both of you – enjoy! Jo, WI, USA
Hi Denise and all,
Great news to hear Paul joining the crew before his final journey to the Summit. It’s pretty sureal sitting at my desk in the cbd office reading about your amazing trek.
Will keep reading with excitement. Good luck & keep up the good spirits.
Love Carly xo