Today was the most awesome day of the trip. Three of us agreed to get up early and face the challenge of climbing to the summit of Kala Patthar (18,192 ft.) We left before sunrise and the temperatures were well below -10c. The winds were blowing like mad and the climb up the mountain the steepest I have ever experienced. With the altitude being so high we felt like we could hardly breathe but the higher we went the more determined we were to summit! As we made the climb and the sun started to peak over the Himalayas we were able to se peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Chagtse tower and Everest itself close to another peak called Nuptsej. It took us over 2 hours to make the summit and a whole bunch of stops along the way to catch our breath. Once we reached the top we each scrambled to climb the rocky outcrop at the summit marked by cairns and prayer flags.
We sat on the Kala Patthar summit rocks with our eyes taking in the unbelievable Himalayan Panorama. This, a once in a lifetime opportunity was one that will always live in my memory! We scrambled down the mountain to catch a quick breakfast, pack our bags and head off as we begin our next part of this amazing trek.
The rest of this journey is one that I will not be able to blog, no batteries for this computer. Three more camps to go then the summit. What a dream. Next step is the Khumbu Ice Fallls to Camp 1, then over a glacier to Cap 3 at about 20,000 ft. Camp 3 takes you to Lohtse at 24,000 ft and the to Camp 4 final step to the summit. It takes 15-20 hours from Camp 4 to the summit at the top of the world. Hopefully all goes well. This trip is one that really brought me to my knees, understanding myself, my shortcomings and how amazing life really is when you set yourself free to see it. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance later on in this journey.
As you can see the journey was a success, exhausted beyond belief, moved beyond words, too tired to think. An exhausting and emotional journey to say the least. This world is amzaing, the sites, the sounds, the people, the diversity, it overcomes you. Its hard to put into words so I won't. I will share my feelings with others when I see them, I cannot put it in words at this time. Tomorrow we start our journey home. back through the Himalayas and on to whatever comes next in this life.
We walked for over six hours in intense snow and wind as we made the descent to Pheriche. As we walked I think we all began to feel like Nomads as the snow caked itself on our clothes and froze any liquid it came in touch with.
My Camel Bak froze solid leaving me no water for the voyage to Pheriche. We passed many Yaks taking supplies up to Everest.
People carrying literally hundreds of pounds from a strap over their foreheads and, of course, others like us on their way up the mountain for the experience of their lifetime. Again, tears kept coming to my eyes as I thought of all the experiences and images I have witnessed on this trip. The simplicity of life, the kind hearted nature of the Himalayan people, their respect for nature and their focus on heart instead of physical belongings. As I type this I am watching three young women pick through the snow as they prepare it for future crops to sustain their families, its snowing like mad outside and well below zero!
Well, enough for now! Tomorrow we head to Namche Bazzar once again and prepare for our final descent to Lukla and that heart pounding flight out of one of the most deadly airports in the world.
NAMASTE!
We sat on the Kala Patthar summit rocks with our eyes taking in the unbelievable Himalayan Panorama. This, a once in a lifetime opportunity was one that will always live in my memory! We scrambled down the mountain to catch a quick breakfast, pack our bags and head off as we begin our next part of this amazing trek.
The rest of this journey is one that I will not be able to blog, no batteries for this computer. Three more camps to go then the summit. What a dream. Next step is the Khumbu Ice Fallls to Camp 1, then over a glacier to Cap 3 at about 20,000 ft. Camp 3 takes you to Lohtse at 24,000 ft and the to Camp 4 final step to the summit. It takes 15-20 hours from Camp 4 to the summit at the top of the world. Hopefully all goes well. This trip is one that really brought me to my knees, understanding myself, my shortcomings and how amazing life really is when you set yourself free to see it. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance later on in this journey.
As you can see the journey was a success, exhausted beyond belief, moved beyond words, too tired to think. An exhausting and emotional journey to say the least. This world is amzaing, the sites, the sounds, the people, the diversity, it overcomes you. Its hard to put into words so I won't. I will share my feelings with others when I see them, I cannot put it in words at this time. Tomorrow we start our journey home. back through the Himalayas and on to whatever comes next in this life.
We walked for over six hours in intense snow and wind as we made the descent to Pheriche. As we walked I think we all began to feel like Nomads as the snow caked itself on our clothes and froze any liquid it came in touch with.
My Camel Bak froze solid leaving me no water for the voyage to Pheriche. We passed many Yaks taking supplies up to Everest.
People carrying literally hundreds of pounds from a strap over their foreheads and, of course, others like us on their way up the mountain for the experience of their lifetime. Again, tears kept coming to my eyes as I thought of all the experiences and images I have witnessed on this trip. The simplicity of life, the kind hearted nature of the Himalayan people, their respect for nature and their focus on heart instead of physical belongings. As I type this I am watching three young women pick through the snow as they prepare it for future crops to sustain their families, its snowing like mad outside and well below zero!
Well, enough for now! Tomorrow we head to Namche Bazzar once again and prepare for our final descent to Lukla and that heart pounding flight out of one of the most deadly airports in the world.
NAMASTE!
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