Mt Everest 2006: Alpine Ascents Everest 2006: Lobuche Friends, family and loved ones

Team Five Legged Jacks reporting in from the high Khumbu village of Loboche. Our cook, Gopal got us off to a delicious alpine start with pancakes and eggs. This was a good thing as the clouds came in early and turned the weather inclement. Alistair regaled us with tall tales of medicine as we wound our way up the Loboche Kola (River). We are not setting any records with our pace however all our team seem satisfied with the slow and easy schedule we are on. Hopefully our patience will be rewarded in the days to come.

After breaking bread in the three home village of Dugla, we trudged up Dugla Hill. This is a steep incline that tops out on a sacred ridge covered with Chortans. These memorials were lovingly built here by friends and family of the many fallen Sherpa climbers that have perished on the slopes of Everest. With the heavy clouds being blown through the monuments we were somber and reminded of challenges ahead. As we left the hallowed place the skies let loose their snows. It plastered us all the way to the settlement of Loboche. We look like snow men when we finally made it to our lodging. We spent the afternoon warming up and drying out. Once the chill was off, out came the cards and music…We’re doing alright.

You may be wondering about our team name, it is actually an acronym…well sort of. It has been cobbled together from our first initials and some others as well and will stick until someone invents a more creative one….that should be easy. Send us your suggestions.

Namaste,
Vern Tejas

April 5 - Pheriche
    

Namaste & Tashi Delek from Pheriche-

It’s a lazy afternoon here in sunny but windy Pheriche. We had a long hike up to 15,000 feet today overlooking the mountain lined Imja valley. It’s been a perfect day with clear views to Makalu and the peaks which rim the valley like Cho Polu, Num Ri and the northern ridge leading to Ama Dablam. We’ve been staying at our friend Ang Kanti’s here in Pheriche. Ang Nuru has been playing great music all afternoon as people lounge around reading books and playing cards. Our team members have also been able to get on the computer for the first time and read the emails sent to the BC address. Thanks for those! Everyone loves mail. FYI- for those family and friends out there emailing we will most likely not be able to write back until April 8.

In another hour we’ll be off to the Pheriche Himalayan Rescue Association Clinic’s afternoon altitude talk. Each day at 3 pm they give a talk regarding high altitude illnesses and preventative measures. We’ve been talking about these issues for a few days of course yet it’s always good for everyone to hear more. For the past 4 nights we’ve been in the same villages as the trekkers but haven’t been in the same lodge. Here in Pheriche we’re all together and having a great time getting to know each other better. The expedition members are proving to be a bit vulgar for the trekkers. No surprise there.

The team is looking forward to getting up to the true high country tomorrow in Lobuche. Pumori, Khumbutse, Lingtren, Nuptse and Changtse will hopefully all be visible and as glorious as always. We’ll spend a couple nights in Lobuche and then head to our semi-permanent home in BC. Everybody’s getting psyched for settling in to their own tents and starting to set up ‘home’ especially since they’ve all gone soft and purchased carpets to line their BC tents! It’s going to be a comfortable BC and can only help offset the more uncomfortable camps above.

We’ll be in touch tomorrow or Friday.

Wishing everyone the best, Dave

Dispatch Index

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