Mt. Everest 2005: Alpine Ascents Everest 2005 Willi Prittie writing from Khumjung

Update: Khumjung
    
Both the climbing team and the trekking team moved from Thame to here in Khumjung today. High points? This entire trip is one giant high point. . .From runaway dzopkyos (yak domestic cattle hybrid which are used as pack animals in the lower regions of Solokhumbu) crashing into trekkers to quotable comments such as “do we climb hills every day?”, the human factor is always fun, interesting, and often more than a little zany. But what we all come for is the stunning scenery and amazing culture of the Khumbu.

Both the trekking and climbing teams began the day with a breakfast served up with a generous helping of anticipation. We then proceeded up to the oldest Gompa (some call them monasteries) in this part of Nepal, and were privileged to have our own private audience with the Rinpoche. A Rinpoche is believed by the Buddhist tradition to be a high Lama (religious leader) who has been identified as a reincarnation of a previous Lama. Whether you believe this or not is irrelevant when you meet one of these men. They tend to exude warmth, peace, wisdom, and humanity and you know instantly that they are someone special.

Rinpoche Nawang Tempel Gylzen presented us all with schrungis (a small red cord tied around one’s neck to bring luck and protection to the wearer) and blessed our khatas (a white or cream colored scarf embossed with Buddhist good luck symbols) and placed them around our necks. My view of an Everest expedition is that one can use all the good luck one can get from any and every source!

After this memorable visit, we retraced our steps of our route the previous day and cut off up to the largest town in the Khumbu, Khumjung. The beautiful clear weather gave way on this walk to thick clouds and snow, and we greatly enjoyed walking amidst the freshly snow covered forest. It was termed by many expedition members a “winter wonderland.”

I will finally end this eventful day with a couple more notes on the human factor. Against all odds, Kevin, Mostafa, and Tony managed to convince Sticky that she could go out and check her email just around the corner (yea, right)! And much to his chagrin, Ron went for a shower and found himself in the shower stall, cold and naked when his water ran out. Well, life is tough here in the Khumbu.

Willi Prittie

Dispatches

Vern Tejas, Willi Prittie, Dave Morton, Jose Luis Peralvo, and Lakpa Rita Sherpa will lead the Alpine Ascent team on Everest this Spring. They will attempt the standard South East ridge route.

GUIDE STAFF (BIOS)
Lakpa Rita Sherpa Senior Guide & Sirdar	Vern Tejas Senior Guide	Willi Prittie Senior Guide
Dave Morton Senior Guide	Jose Luis Peralvo Senior Guide	Ellie Henke Base Camp Manager
CLIMBERS
Nigel Clark	Esther Colwill	Ron Farb
Kevin Grant	Cathy Groninger	Kent Groninger
Mostafa Mahmoud	Jeanne Stawiecki	Dianette Strange-Wells
Tony Van Marken	David Liano	Danielle Fisher

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