First view of Everest

On Monday we flew to laluka which is where we were to start the trek to base camp. The flight was ok, only slightly bumpy but the landing was interesting. The runway at the airport is really short due to the landscape so it has to go up a hill to make sure the plane stops before it hits the cliff in front of it. Apparently the hill works in reverse on take off to make sure the plane picks up enough speed before it takes off. Nail biting stuff. Once we had landed we had breakfast before setting off on a 2 hour trek to our first nights lodge. ‘Breaking us in gently’ is what we were told. The first nights lodge was luxiourous compared to what we were expecting. It was in a valley alongside a river which derives from a glacier further up the mountain.

The second day we set off for a 7 hour trek to Namche which is where we were to stay that night. The walk was fine until lunch time and got much harder in the afternoon. The path started by following the river and then ascended steeply into the hills. The majority of this was so steep it was basically a huge staircase made from rock which zigzagged along the edge of a cliff. There were some slightly precarious bridges to contend with too. We have decided that the only form of exercise that might have helped with this trip would be to use a step machine at a gym for a few months before getting here.

By the time we got to Namche we all celebrated and Cami (our guide and cook from the flat) told us its is only a few minutes further which of course meant we were about to plod past the rest of the town to the lodge which was almost at the highest point. We were all very glad to get here. This lodge is more like a 3 star hotel. We have ensuite rooms with hot showers. There is a nice dining room with a big fire stove in the center to keep us warm, it gets quite cold at night. We have also found that out water bottles have a dual purpose. At night we can fill them with boiling water and use them as a water bottle and by the morning it is cold enough to drink. As a result I have been hot rather than cold at night so no need for the thermals yet.

Today is day three and a rest day so we can get used to the altitude. Namche is at 3400m. However the mantra goes ‘climb high, sleep low.’ So we did a trek this morning for an hour up a hill to get our first view of Everest. Amazing is the only word to describe it. The view makes the aching legs worth it.

Everest is the second peak from the left with the cloud to the right.
From Left to Right: Lorna, Me, Kelvin, Hi jade and Collete

We then went back down the hill for lunch and then for a wander around the market. I have bought myself some souvenirs I’m afraid. I got some yaks wool socks which are lined with fleece for when it gets cold higher up and a map which shows the route we are trekking. While at the market we also had some great chocolate cake and the lemon tea is one of the things I will probably remember most, like the mint tea in Morocco.

Tomorrow we have an ‘Easy trek’ we are told, through a valley to our next stop. We only ascend 200m the whole day and that is spread across 6 hours. Five of us are carrying on however Ruth and Mathew are giving up as they are finding it very difficult. Ruth has asthma and Mathew a cold. So far we are having a great time, it is hard work as expected but a great sense of achievement when we reach out destination at the end of each day. Only the porters put us to shame by running up the mountain carrying our heavy bags.

So far we have been lucky. It has been hot, no mountain sickness, blisters or food poisoning, fingers crossed it stays the same. This is the last stop with internet for a week or so. Will fill you in when I can.

P.s have a look at some more pictures from the trek

xxx