John's Progress
March 31, 2009
Hello from Namche. The Golden Expedition Trekking Team has arrived in the heart of the Khumbu. We woke in Phakding this morning to beautifully clear skies. Evening showers clouded the valley before sunset but the rain cleared over night to reveal the depth and drama of this valley. We ate a quick breakfast and were walking around 8am. Sunrays beamed over the surrounding mountains and worked their way down minute by minute towards the valley floor. It was chilly to start. The sun had us heated up before long though.
Namche sits at 11,200ft, about 2500 feet higher than Phakding. The climb up to the village isn't gradual however. Following the river we crossed bridges from bank to bank zigzagging our way up stream. The trail soon rises sharply away from the riverbanks and doesn't let up until you reach Namche. It's hard work climbing uphill, but the views back down the valley over the crashing green grey water of the Dudh Koshi are worth it.
The Dudh Koshi river has carved much of this valley. Fed by the world’s tallest mountains, its steep v-shaped structure alludes to the rapid cutting power of this flow. Thousands of prayer flags and prayer scarves, called katas, wrapped around the thick steel bridge cables. These prayer flags and katas fluttering and fade in the wind and sun and thread by thread unravel their blessings above the river.
You do stop and wonder why these bridges are so heavily tangled with all of these prayers. Certainly these bridges connect communities, bolster the local economy, and have, due to their existence, saved countless lives by providing access to hospitals and medical supplies. To some extent it is fitting to see these bridges as the blessing they must sometimes be. Without them travel in the Khumbu would be difficult, if not impossible. At the same time crossing these bridges puts complete trust in all things man-made, trust easily given when you look at the size of the cables stringing across the river. But when you see the rock anchoring those cables chipping and eroding away – you give those bridges, and those prayer flags a second thought. It makes you wonder if those flags and katas are thanks for the blessing of strong bridges, or if those flags are tied so numerously to ask safe passage above a turbulent river.
Hello from Namche. The Golden Expedition Trekking Team has arrived in the heart of the Khumbu. We woke in Phakding this morning to beautifully clear skies. Evening showers clouded the valley before sunset but the rain cleared over night to reveal the depth and drama of this valley. We ate a quick breakfast and were walking around 8am. Sunrays beamed over the surrounding mountains and worked their way down minute by minute towards the valley floor. It was chilly to start. The sun had us heated up before long though.
Namche sits at 11,200ft, about 2500 feet higher than Phakding. The climb up to the village isn't gradual however. Following the river we crossed bridges from bank to bank zigzagging our way up stream. The trail soon rises sharply away from the riverbanks and doesn't let up until you reach Namche. It's hard work climbing uphill, but the views back down the valley over the crashing green grey water of the Dudh Koshi are worth it.
The Dudh Koshi river has carved much of this valley. Fed by the world’s tallest mountains, its steep v-shaped structure alludes to the rapid cutting power of this flow. Thousands of prayer flags and prayer scarves, called katas, wrapped around the thick steel bridge cables. These prayer flags and katas fluttering and fade in the wind and sun and thread by thread unravel their blessings above the river.
You do stop and wonder why these bridges are so heavily tangled with all of these prayers. Certainly these bridges connect communities, bolster the local economy, and have, due to their existence, saved countless lives by providing access to hospitals and medical supplies. To some extent it is fitting to see these bridges as the blessing they must sometimes be. Without them travel in the Khumbu would be difficult, if not impossible. At the same time crossing these bridges puts complete trust in all things man-made, trust easily given when you look at the size of the cables stringing across the river. But when you see the rock anchoring those cables chipping and eroding away – you give those bridges, and those prayer flags a second thought. It makes you wonder if those flags and katas are thanks for the blessing of strong bridges, or if those flags are tied so numerously to ask safe passage above a turbulent river.
March 30, 2009
Arrive in Khumbu Valley...
Today we begin our trip into the Khumbu Valley. The day began with a 4 AM wake call at the Yak and Yeti. A quick breakfast and we had our bags packed and in hotel lobby. The bus left at 5:30 AM for our short 30-minute flight to Lukla. Flying in the small Otter planes are always an experience, especially when you enter the high peaks of the Himalaya. After a rather smooth flight we meet our Sherpa team, Phinjo and crew for the first time, which made arrangements for our duffel bags. We stopped and had a quick tea in Sherpa teahouse in Lukla and Jon Shea instructed on the ways of trekking in the valley.
After applying sunscreen, we begin our 4 hour trek to Phakding. The weather was great, mid 50’s, perfect for trekking. We stopped to have our first meal in the Ghat teahouse after two hours of trekking, the food was great, and especially the moo moos. We certainly over ate but worked that off with the 2-hour trek to Phakding. We stayed at a great teahouse with hot, ok warm, showers.
After unpacking our duffels we introduced the Sherpa to the American game of baseball, while the ladies visited a Sherpa ladies to look at jewelry. Not having a baseball bat, we used a large tree branch. Clearly Phinjo our lead Sherpa has the look of a major league picture. We had dinner at 6:00 PM and then headed to bed by 9PM. A great first day in the valley!
Arrive in Khumbu Valley...
Today we begin our trip into the Khumbu Valley. The day began with a 4 AM wake call at the Yak and Yeti. A quick breakfast and we had our bags packed and in hotel lobby. The bus left at 5:30 AM for our short 30-minute flight to Lukla. Flying in the small Otter planes are always an experience, especially when you enter the high peaks of the Himalaya. After a rather smooth flight we meet our Sherpa team, Phinjo and crew for the first time, which made arrangements for our duffel bags. We stopped and had a quick tea in Sherpa teahouse in Lukla and Jon Shea instructed on the ways of trekking in the valley.
After applying sunscreen, we begin our 4 hour trek to Phakding. The weather was great, mid 50’s, perfect for trekking. We stopped to have our first meal in the Ghat teahouse after two hours of trekking, the food was great, and especially the moo moos. We certainly over ate but worked that off with the 2-hour trek to Phakding. We stayed at a great teahouse with hot, ok warm, showers.
After unpacking our duffels we introduced the Sherpa to the American game of baseball, while the ladies visited a Sherpa ladies to look at jewelry. Not having a baseball bat, we used a large tree branch. Clearly Phinjo our lead Sherpa has the look of a major league picture. We had dinner at 6:00 PM and then headed to bed by 9PM. A great first day in the valley!
March 29, 2009
Hello! The climbers and trekkers of the Golden Expedition have arrived in Kathmandu. John Golden and Jon Shea arrived a few days ahead of the trekking group. They spent the last few days getting over jet-lag, double checking gear, eating some nice meals, and trying to put on a few pounds before starting the trek to Everest base camp.
The trekking group arrived from Bangkok yesterday. After a dinner at the Roadhouse Cafe in Thamel, the group retired travel weary back to the Yak and Yeti. This morning we took a tour of Bhaktapur, home of Durbar Square and the 55 window palace. Bhaktapur sits about 6 kilometers to the east of downtown Kathmandu. Surprisingly it still takes about an hour to drive there!
It seems like it's taken a long time to get here. All the preparation and logistics that go into a climb like this can sometimes seem more daunting than the climb itself. John and Jon have been climbing together for almost 2 years in preparation for this trip. Here we are. Let’s go!
Kathmandu is buzzing with spring fever as climbers, outfitters, trekkers and guides get ready for the 2009 Himalayan season. This is going to be a busy year on Everest and there are already signs of that in the streets of Thamel – one of Kathmandu’s more lively neighborhoods.
Climbers are bustling around picking up odds and ends, trying to decide how many books to bring, and where exactly their expedition's giant Yeti foot will be placed on the walls of the Rum Doodle bar. The Rum Doodle has been a favorite with climbers since the days of Sir Edmund Hillary. It is custom for most expeditions to sign an oversized Yeti foot profile and stick it on a wall. Real estate on the bar's wall is becoming a precious commodity though with more and more expeditions coming to the Himalaya. In years past, anyone who had stood on top of Everest would be able to eat free- for life- but with Everest becoming ever more popular things have been scaled back to one free meal. Regardless the Rum Doodle is still the place where climbers meet, eat, drink and where many famous expeditions have both started and finished.
Busy indeed. We'll keep you posted as the trips moves forward. Wish us luck.
Hello! The climbers and trekkers of the Golden Expedition have arrived in Kathmandu. John Golden and Jon Shea arrived a few days ahead of the trekking group. They spent the last few days getting over jet-lag, double checking gear, eating some nice meals, and trying to put on a few pounds before starting the trek to Everest base camp.
The trekking group arrived from Bangkok yesterday. After a dinner at the Roadhouse Cafe in Thamel, the group retired travel weary back to the Yak and Yeti. This morning we took a tour of Bhaktapur, home of Durbar Square and the 55 window palace. Bhaktapur sits about 6 kilometers to the east of downtown Kathmandu. Surprisingly it still takes about an hour to drive there!
It seems like it's taken a long time to get here. All the preparation and logistics that go into a climb like this can sometimes seem more daunting than the climb itself. John and Jon have been climbing together for almost 2 years in preparation for this trip. Here we are. Let’s go!
Kathmandu is buzzing with spring fever as climbers, outfitters, trekkers and guides get ready for the 2009 Himalayan season. This is going to be a busy year on Everest and there are already signs of that in the streets of Thamel – one of Kathmandu’s more lively neighborhoods.
Climbers are bustling around picking up odds and ends, trying to decide how many books to bring, and where exactly their expedition's giant Yeti foot will be placed on the walls of the Rum Doodle bar. The Rum Doodle has been a favorite with climbers since the days of Sir Edmund Hillary. It is custom for most expeditions to sign an oversized Yeti foot profile and stick it on a wall. Real estate on the bar's wall is becoming a precious commodity though with more and more expeditions coming to the Himalaya. In years past, anyone who had stood on top of Everest would be able to eat free- for life- but with Everest becoming ever more popular things have been scaled back to one free meal. Regardless the Rum Doodle is still the place where climbers meet, eat, drink and where many famous expeditions have both started and finished.
Busy indeed. We'll keep you posted as the trips moves forward. Wish us luck.
March 27, 2009
Hello everyone from Kathmandu! My guide, Jon Shea, and I arrived yesterday and are preparing to leave for the trek to base camp. Our friends and family will be here Saturday for us to begin our journey. To Mrs. Ciccone’s 2nd grade class, I really enjoyed my visit with all of you. We are 11 hours and 45 minutes ahead of you. Can you figure out what time it is here now? I hope you have a great Spring Break, and please check back in when you return to school! To all of you, thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.
John
Hello everyone from Kathmandu! My guide, Jon Shea, and I arrived yesterday and are preparing to leave for the trek to base camp. Our friends and family will be here Saturday for us to begin our journey. To Mrs. Ciccone’s 2nd grade class, I really enjoyed my visit with all of you. We are 11 hours and 45 minutes ahead of you. Can you figure out what time it is here now? I hope you have a great Spring Break, and please check back in when you return to school! To all of you, thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.
John
March 24, 2009
I’m off to Everest!!!
I will be traveling over the next several days through Los Angeles, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Nepal and then to base camp. I'm scheduled to be there on March 30th. We are lucky enough to have friends and family join us for the trek (Marianne Golden, Gena Thomas, Rick and Denise Gallagher, Aaron Manheimer, and Donna Wallburg). I will be in touch all along the way, so please keep up with our progress through the Web site. Please know how appreciative I am of your support for this once in a life time adventure - one that is only the beginning of our mission to help many others LiveActive!
I’m off to Everest!!!
I will be traveling over the next several days through Los Angeles, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Nepal and then to base camp. I'm scheduled to be there on March 30th. We are lucky enough to have friends and family join us for the trek (Marianne Golden, Gena Thomas, Rick and Denise Gallagher, Aaron Manheimer, and Donna Wallburg). I will be in touch all along the way, so please keep up with our progress through the Web site. Please know how appreciative I am of your support for this once in a life time adventure - one that is only the beginning of our mission to help many others LiveActive!
