Himalayan Rescue Association - Everest Base Camp Trek 2009 Spring- Cyber Cast Updates

28 March, 2009

Nemaste!

Today we were up at 6:30 a.m. for tea in our room brought to us by our trek sherpas-Tende, Pem Nuri, Dorje and Chhiri. Then they brought us wash water. I have determined that placing the water on the floor and taking the Lotus position is the best way to wash. It feels very humble

Breakfast was toast and hardboiled eggs. They have been very good about my dietary restrictions and I had fried potatoes instead of toast. Some in our group are beginning to claim gluten intolerance just to get my meals. There is a group of climbers staying at our lodge and I had a chance to talk with Eric Simonson who headed The Ghosts of Everest expedition that found Mallory's body.

Today we trek to Tengboche. We first stopped at the famous Namche Bazar market which is the market held every Saturday for the locals. Lots of produce eggs, meats, spices.

The group has two options: one up and over to Khumjung and then onto the main trail or take the main trail the whole way. Five of us chose the up and over to Khumjung - Dr. Luann, Jason, Gary, Ed and me. There is a Hillary school in Khumjung and we saw a pick-up cricket game being played in one

of the terraced fields. We also got a glimpse of Everest and Lhotse and finally, Ama Dablam, a very beautiful and holy mountain. We then stopped at the bakery for a little pick me up. Luanne has told us before of making human pyramids in remote places and taking a picture. Jason suggested one in Khumjung and off we went to find a field we could use that would feature Ama Dablam. We found one and Gary, Jason and Ed were the base, Luanne and I were the second tier and Chhiri was at top. What a photo!

We reached the main trail 30 seconds before the rest of our group. From there we headed down to the Dudh Koshi losing altitude to 10,900 feet. We had lunch at Phuckitanga. We had a carrot/kale salad, rice, fried potatoes, bread and -- wait for it -- my favorite meat -- spam. Oh the luxuries they treat us to. We all got our first experience with a long drop toilet. It is an outhouse with a hole in the floor that drops down into the compost pit for the local farmers. When you are finished you throw some pine leaves and straw to help the composting process. Once composted it is used in the fields to grow potatoes, cabbage, carrots, etc. It sure makes those potatoes extra tasty.

After lunch we headed up the Tangboche hill, what a hump. About 2,000 feet vertical. Unfortunately it is cloudy so no moutain view yet. A few of us got to the top just as the monks blew the horn for their prayer ceremony. This is the location of the Tengboche Monastary. We entered the Monastary after taking off our shoes - quite an experience since it's about 40 degrees. We then experienced a Buddhist ceremony by the monks. There was tea served to the monks who were seated at various locations before a very large Buddha. Then there was chanting, silence, then more chanting. It was very soothing and peaceful.

After the ceremony we headed to the Himalayan View Hotel for washing water and tea and to get settled into our rooms. Dinner at 7, Bed by 9. Pheriche tomorrow. Having the time of my life.

Jeff Thomson

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