Everest Base Camp Trek Cybercasts: October 2017

Namaste Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

We woke up in Lukla this morning to clear skies- perfect for flying back to Kathmandu. Our flight was smooth, delayed only a bit by heavy air traffic in Kathmandu.

This afternoon we cleaned up, relaxed and, yes, did some more shopping. Tonight, we celebrated our success over a great dinner.

Tomorrow, the team will have some free time to do more exploring of the city and get ready to fly back to you.

This will be the last Cybercast for the Namaste High trekkers. Thanks so much for following our adventure!

Carole Tejas

Namaste Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

We travelled from Phakding to Lukla today in cooler, cloudy weather— all the better for making the slow, sustained climb on the final section of trail.

As we crossed our last suspension bridge, it was clear that our time on the trail and our acclimatization over the last couple weeks made today’s hike a breeze.

We arrived in Lukla in time for an amazing lunch— Yak burgers, momos, chicken chilly (my favorite) and the classic Dal Bhat.

On the agenda this afternoon:

Cappuccinos and pastries

Shaves at the Barber Shop

And time watching helicopters take off every couple of minutes at the airport next to our teahouse.

At dinner, we thanked our local staff, led by Gopal, for doing a great job. We couldn’t have done this trek without their help.

Our fingers are crossed for good weather tomorrow for our flight back to Kathmandu!

Carole Tejas

Namaste Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

The Namaste High Trekkers spent a relaxing morning in Namche, shopping, shopping and … shopping. I took advantage of the downtime by visiting thirteen students sponsored by the Alpine Ascents Foundation (AAF) who live and go to school in Namche. The kids, who are in Grade 1 through Grade 6, live in a hostel/dorm next to Namche school. Their room, board and school fees are paid for by AAF and when we are in Namche, we try to check in on them. Happy to report that the kids are looking great and doing well at school.

After lunch in Namche, the team took our group Photo of The Day and then hit the trail.

We descended Namche Hill, crossed the Dudh Kosi River on the double decker suspension bridge, and walked through the forest and past the many vegetable and flower gardens for a couple of hours until Phakding, our home for the night.

We’re doing very well and looking forward to trekking to Lukla tomorrow!

Carole Tejas

Namaste Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

This morning in Dingboche, the trekkers said goodbye to Vern and the Island Peak Climbers.

One last photo of the trekkers and Island Peak climbers before we split up.

The Island Peakers headed up to Chukung and we, the trekkers, headed down (well, we headed up and down – mainly down) to Namche. We went slow and steady, but made it down here in record time despite several yak-jams along the way.

Immediately upon arrival in Namche, the team members enjoyed much-awaited hot showers.

We are clean!

Tired but happy after a long day, we’re looking forward to a leisurely walk down to Phakding tomorrow.

Carole Tejas

More info about Climbing Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp Trek.

Namaste friends, family & loved ones,

We were blessed with crystal blue skies this morning. And after a leisurely breakfast we made good use of the delightful weather by taking the high route down valley. We passed a rustic yak hearders cabin along our way.

Then a little further along the trail we were practically run over by a yak train hauling water to Gorak Shep. 

Our afternoon was filled with exploring the farming community of Dingboche. At dinner, we celebrated having more oxygen with a delicious chocolate cake.

Team is well and in great spirits!

All our best,
Carole and Vern Tejas

More info about Climbing Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp Trek.

Namaste Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

What a day! We woke up early in Gorak Shep and headed up, up, up the steep trail of Kalapatar. No wind, blue skies, and warm enough to enjoy the spectacular views.

Team on the way up before the sun hit. Everest in back.

Us on the summit of Kala patar.

We returned to Gorak Shep for an early lunch and then headed back down to Dugla for the night. It was a long day of activity, but it sure feels good to breathe the thicker air here at under 15,000 feet! On the way down here, the clouds rolled in but left this window in front of Ama Dablam. Cool.

We’re now gathered around the stove in the teahouse dining room. Everyone is going to sleep well tonight!

Vern & Carole Tejas

More info about Climbing Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp Trek.

Namaste friends, family & loved ones,

Team Namaste High moved well over the glacial moraine on our way to Gorak Shep, the highest habitation in Nepal. Clouds ran up the valley so we decided to go to base camp rather than climb.

An hour into our trek we were excited to see Everest again, only now it was much closer.

We descended to the Khumbu glacier and celebrated our arrival at base camp!

The team is feeling the altitude yet performing great on the trail. Our goal for tomorrow is to climb Kalapatar and trek down to a lower elevation. You are in our thoughts.

All our best,
Carole & Vern Tejas

More info about Climbing Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp Trek.

Namaste friends, family & loved ones,

Team Namaste High ascended 2,300 feet in stellar conditions to arrive in the quaint village of Lobuche. Though it was a tough climb up the infamous Dugla hill, we overcame the challenge with pressure breathing and a calculated pace.

We paused at the place of Chortens, monuments for fallen climbers, to pay our respects. Upon reaching Lobuche we had lunch and then went exploring up the Khumbu moraine. Our effort was well rewarded with a sweeping panorama of Himalayan peaks.

After tea time, clouds rolled up the valley but parted for a bit of alpine glow on Nuptse at sunset.

The team is moving well and adapting to the thin air. We are looking forward to tackling the mountain known as Kalapatar tomorrow.

All our best,
Carole & Vern Tejas

More info about Climbing Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp Trek.

Namaste Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

We spent a relaxing day acclimatizing in Pheriche. This morning we headed up the moraine behind town hoping for a good view from up on the ridge. As we started out, the fog rolled in and we climbed in low visibility … until we reached the top of the first ridge, when the sky cleared… and WOW. What views! We meandered up the ridge and stopped a couple of different times to rest and enjoy.

It was warm enough with the barest of breezes, so we spent a fair amount of time hanging out up there.

This afternoon, we attended a lecture on high altitude medicine at the Himalayan Rescue Association post here, and then hung out around the Yak dung-burning stove at our teahouse.

We are all feeling great— tomorrow we will move up to Lobuche!

Carole and Vern

More info about Climbing Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp Trek.

Namaste Friends, Family & Loved Ones,

Greetings from above tree line in Pheriche. We are all doing great and had a lot of fun getting here today. First thing this morning we headed back to Tengboche Monastery, where we received a blessing from the Rinpoche (head monk). The sky was totally cloudy when we woke up, but just as we hit the trail the clouds disappeared and we were treated to terrific views.

Trail conditions were good today and we especially enjoyed crossing the river on the newly constructed bridge — saving us a couple hundred feet of elevation gain.

We made short work of the afternoon portion of the hike. The “crux” climb was a piece of cake for us.

We are ensconced for the next two nights at our excellent teahouse in Pheriche. The rooms are carpeted!! The walls have paneling! All is well in our world.

Vern & Carole

More info about Climbing Mount Everest and Everest Base Camp Trek.