Everest Base Camp Trek Cybercasts

Namaste friends, family and loved ones!

After an early morning jam session we headed up the valley East of Everest. Clouds, to our dismay, came in too soon as we trekked always along. When we arrived in Chakung, we practiced our mountaineering skills. Now we feel comfortable with our fix line techniques, we will move to Island Peak Base Camp tomorrow.

Our big challenge will be the crazy weather that’s been hounding us throughout our acclimatization trekking. The mountain looks great from here.

All my best,
Vern

Namaste Everyone,

We spent the morning relaxing at the Panorama in Namche— well deserved after the preceding two long days of hiking. The highlight of the morning was when some students, including those sponsored by Alpine Ascents’ Sherpa Education Fund, came by to sell us some handmade greeting cards that they had made in order to earn some pocket money. I was surprised at how intricate and well made the cards were!

We left Namche after lunch to descend to Phakding and realized that, at these lower altitudes, Spring has Sprung. Rhododendrons blooming in pinks and reds, huge white magnolias and cherry blossoms, among others.

Hard to believe that tomorrow’s hike to Lukla will be our last day on the trail.

Thanks to Emma and Karl for the photos!

Carole Tejas

Namaste friends, family and loved ones,

Our efforts to climb Lobuche East were thwarted by a very unseasonable snowfall. More snow in the evening – and wind – made us decide that discretion really was the better part of valor. Of course the next day was beautiful for our descent, and the snow made the scenery delightful (pictured below).

We are disappointed not to climb Lobuche but happy to not be in an avalanche. We are now heading down to Dingbuche to dry out and prepare for Island Peak! Team remains in good health physically and mentally.

All our best, Vern Tejas Klimbers of the Khumbu

Namaste Everyone,

We awoke in Dingboche to clear blue skies and amazing views all around— what a relief after yesterday’s storm. (Photo 1 – yesterday. Photo 2 – today)

Pumped up by the great weather, the team really enjoyed the walk back to Namche. We stopped for lunch in Tengboche (great mushroom pizza) and then again for afternoon refreshments with a view. Just as we were entering Namche, we saw a group of Danphes, Nepal’s national bird. We were really lucky to get an up close view of this colorful male!

Looking forward to a relaxing morning here tomorrow before we head down to Phakding. Thanks for following us!

Carole Tejas

Namaste Everyone,

Greetings from Dingboche! We’re all doing well after an adventurous descent from Everest Basecamp in challenging weather. Some snow, some rain, poor visibility, lots of mud, a little bit of everything. Not to worry, the team rose to the occasion!

Technical difficulties prevented us from sending a Cybercast from Everest Basecamp yesterday, but we wanted to share the photos below from our wander through the base of the Khumbu icefall, a highlight of the day.

We were surrounded by spectacular ice formations, beautiful and intimidating all at once. We also were able to meet with the icefall doctors- the sherpa who fix the climbing route through the Khumbu icefall. The icefall doctors told us that so far they have used 5500 meters of rope and 3 ladders to establish the climbing route from Everest Basecamp up to Camp 2.

Tomorrow we will continue to trek back down valley— Namche here we come!

Carole Tejas