Local time: 04 April 18:45
Location: Namche Bazaar
Altitude: 3400m
Weather: Sunny and windy, 25C, now its 6C.
Hi Everyone, It’s Paul in Namche Bazaar. We all got a great night’s sleep last night and Tim and Attila both commented that this was the best night’s sleep they had had in the past month. At almost 9 hours sleep, it was probably my best too. I actually had a small headache last night, but in the morning I felt fine.
We had a pretty relaxed start this morning, as no one seemed in too much of a hurry. Breakfast was porridge and copious amounts of lemon tea. We set off at 8:30 and had a really enjoyable walk through the green fields of the villages. Everything seems much greener than I remember it and I am trying to take in as much of it as possible, because I know that very soon it will be just rock and ice. We even saw some red rhododendrons in bloom, which was just fantastic. Along the way we crossed many suspension bridges – most have these are new and look well built, but you can see the old bridges and I was glad that we didn’t have to go over these.
Namche Hill
After lunch we tackled the 600m climb up the hill to Namche. We were lucky that the wind kept up, so it wasn’t too hot. A slow and steady pace was set by Lakpa Nuru up front with the rest of us following behind. The path takes a seemingly endless number of switchbacks as it gains height. As it’s the middle of the week and the market isn’t till Saturday there wasn’t much porter traffic. We had a rest stop about half way up – drinks and some Easter eggs for snacks – and then we headed on up. Shortly after 2pm we caught a glimpse of the houses at Namche and 15 minutes later we were finally here.
I was walking around our lodge and I bumped into Pat Hickey, who is actually staying at the same lodge as us – Kala Patar lodge. Pat, Dame, Tim, Meagan and I all went out to the Sherpa bakery for coffee and apple pie. Dame and Tim are joking that they are going to be facing some tough questions back home if they come back weighing more than they were when they left.
Your Messages
Hi Sonam & Rebecca, Yes it was Boudenath Stupa that Lakpa took us to. I don’t know the name of the Lama that we saw, but it was a really great experience. With their permission I recorded the proceedings and also spoke to Lhakpa afterwards and he explained what transpired. Hopefully I can upload this to the site.
Hi Festerleigh, Thanks for your support. Paul.
Hi Meals, Happy Birthday for yesterday. Yes we are having a lot of fun together. Tim and Dame are doing really well and coped well with the first big challenge of the trek.
Hi MC, Great to hear from you – yes I was relieved to be able to get the oxygen. Apparently we are lucky to get it this year as there isn’t much available from last year. I should have ordered and paid for it a few months ago. If I ever do this again, I will ask Lakpa to arrange this for me ahead of time.
Hi Paula, Thanks for your blessings. I showed your message to Lakpa and he was really pleased to hear from you.
Hi Inna, great to hear from you. Hope everything is going well at home and you are not missing Tim too much. Attilla works in currency trading and Tim and he have spent several hours already discussing their views and strategies.
Hi WP, Yes, everything so far seems to be going well. Focussing hard on trying not to get sick – wearing masks for most of the trek so far.
Cheers,
Paul.
Hi Paul, Tim, Dame and co.
Well done, trekking to Namche Bazaar. I love the description of the red rhododendrons and the greenery of the fields. Very picturesque. I too, would prefer the newer suspension bridges over the older ones!!!
Great photos; the three Adler boys with Steve or should I say the three bandidos with the masks! Btw, great idea with the masks as added protection. Also, really nice photo of the Porter carrying a very heavy load.
MC
Paul:
Glad to hear that you have all arrived safely in Namche. The characters in our Everest book are trekking to Base Camp right now too, so the timing couldn’t be more perfect! You said in an earlier post that your fellow climber, Meagan, is from Canada. Where exactly is she from? Hope you all have another good night’s sleep tonight!
Cheers from Canada,
Liane
Hi Tim, Paul, and Dame!
Great photos! With the outfits, hats, and the masks, I can barely tell which one of you is which 🙂 Can you guys explain what the masks are for? Is the air not good?
Also, is there a limit on how much each porter is allowed to carry? What would be an approximate weight of a normal load?
Wishing you well for the rest of the trek.
Love,
Inna.
I believe the guys are wearing the masks as added protection against germs, etc. to avoid getting sick. I am also interested to know how much weight the Porters and Sherpas are allowed to carry…I do not think that there is a limit but I am not sure. Take care, MC
Hey Paul
J-F from your previous Everest attempt. Just a small message to wish you good luck on your climb this year. Stay safe.
JF
I have found my favourite quote – this is really for you, Paul and your team:
“What is big wall climbing all about? It is about the companionship of good partners. Climbing with good friends… Sharing fine times in magic places… Great conversations over dinner… And wonderful moments.” / J. Middendorf /
I am so glad that Inna wrote that she is having trouble working out which bandit is which. I was a bit concerned that I also was unable to, and was ready to put it down to old age!! All is going well with the apartment, painting just about finished, and the carpet is ordered. It is all looking really good.
We have had a number of inspections at the house, but no tennant as yet. Another one in 2 hours time so better get back to the tidying-up. I am waiting for Inna to confirm the phone system to call you is working and will then advise all of the calling number details. Love Dad xxx
I figured they were wearing them because of the dust on the trail. I’ve had to do that before…
Sounds glorious….! 🙂
Bubbles xxx
I just assumed they were big fans of Michael Jackson.
But if you look closely, they are not wearing one glove!
MC
Say hi to Naaaamche for us! Don’t forget to tell Tim and Dame to enjoy their last decent shower for a few weeks!!
Bridge and I are off to Seal Rocks (300k north of Sydney) for easter – we are camping in the Myall Lakes National Park and the plan is to do some surfing and bushwalking. The weather forecast is showers and 23 every day – hopefully the sun will come out.
Have some lemon tea for us!
Chris
Thanks for mentioning Attila is doing fine… obviously if he talks about strategies and his job;) lot of his friends here have been asking me how is he doing. He meant to send some dispatches… any problem with his PDA and sat conn.?
He is going to be in the tv tomorrow (interview with him which was made before he left) Say hello to him and if you have some time tell him he is getting to be quite well-known in Hungary Thanks for the huge Discovery Channel campaign. They recorded 250 hours on the Everest last year. Amatour climbers …. professional mountain – as they said.. and made a 6-parts show about Everest which is on air tonight just right now. The Channel started a massive marketing campaign raising awareness about this mountain and what it takes to be there.
More than the ultimate reality show…’Beyond the Limit’ is a stunning tour de force, easily the best documentary on Everest, perhaps the finest footage on climbing ever produced. (two of the climbers made till the summit) Attila’s climbing teacher (they climbed ice-falls in Arco-Sappada, Italy and some other places in Europe) has climbed up to 16 m high, built up his tent on the wall of a block-of-flats as in the “EBS”, and hanging in his tent for two weeks over the city, for promoting the new documentary… nice crazy guy, but he said he wishes a great journey for all of you.
take care,
Mira
Hi every-one,
I’ve really enjoyed reading about your antics so far. Going by your masks, I’m guessing things are pretty dusty. I’m hoping the rhodos are still in flower by the time I get there. There’s something special about seeing ‘exotic’ plants in their home territory. All of a sudden it seems very little time before I leave and maybe not quite enough hillclimbing practice time left. Gavan and I walked up and down Mt Donna Buang last Sunday and the effects are finally starting to wear off! Take care. Liz.
Hi guys,
Great to see some action shots! I am pleased to hear that all is going well and you are all in good spirits and good health. Also glad to hear you are enjoying the easter eggs!
Lovely to hear your voice again today Dame.
Beck R xxx