Mt. Everest 2005: Gavin Bate at arrive in Namche Bazaar - Sherpa capital

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Hello everyone!

I'm in Namche Bazaar, all well, weather okay ... today we walked to Thame for a hike and tomorrow we head up to Deboche [all small villages on way to Everest Base Camp].

Unfortunately I left my satfone in a barrel which is going up separately in the Island Peak kit, so I won't see it until 16th April. Sorry!

Everyone is very excited, we've been doing ropework in preparation for climb of Island Peak, lots of visits and walks and seeing spectacular peaks everywhere. Today I met Apa Sherpa, 14 times summitteer of Everest, and he as let me use his toilet at Base Camp since I'll only be passing through on my climbing days(!). Nice guy. Spent the afternoon in monastery.

All group say hi to everyone back home. Am happy myself, enjoying the company of some really nice people.

The mountains are spectacular, and it's good that I have the group here so I don't have to continually think about my solo Everest later. Yesterday we were examining a large map of Everest and I was describing the descent in 2002 with my friend Will. I felt myself well up and had to leave. Just the memory of it, and the proximity of going back up there riggered all sorts of responses. Hope none of the group saw!

Gavin

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