Mt. Everest 2005: Four Friends To Climb Everest For A Cure: Robert Chang from Kathmandu

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Update: March 30. Hello, this is Robert Chang from Kathmandu.  Climber John Gray, Base Camp Manager Paula Stout and myself arrived here after our long set of flights in which we left on Sat., March 26 from the San Francisco Bay Area. The last few days we have been meeting with our local agency here in Katmandu finalizing our plans, logistics, meeting our Sherpa staff and getting our personal gear up into Base Camp.

We are all in good spirits and excited to start the trek and climb. My thoughts are on my sister who passed away from cancer, and who we honor with our efforts to raise cancer awareness with this ascent on Mount Everest.

We had a great dinner at the Rum Doodle restaurant last night with Apa Sherpa and some of our other climbing Sherpas as well as with our agency staff.  We did a traditional foot print made of thin wood and shaped like a foot - in which we adorn our expedition name on it in an artistic and colorful manner (with felt pens) and the team members sign it.  We were given a very honorable spot right above the  main bar where it was nailed up.  Later, I met up with Alan Hinkes and we talked about climbing and his current project to finish his final 8000er - a fun night indeed.

We have been kept up late at night due to a local rooster  who has taken up residence across from our hotel and starts to sing loudly at about 3am every morning. Of course the standard all night dog barking and intense morning bird singing all add into the Kathmandu experience.

The weather has been cool in the morning and a few rain showers in the afternoon  - but very pleasant.  Flights have been ongoing to Lukla with no issues of weather delays.  Its not very crowded here in terms of tourists, but many of the other climbing teams are going up this week with quite a few already up in the mountains trekking into Base Camp.

Team members Chuck Huss and Dan Smith will come in soon to join the team here in Nepal as well.  With hopefully good weather and clear skies, Paula, John and I will head up to Lukla on March 31st in the early morning.  Thanks to all of you who are supporting our valuable project!

More to come soon...... Rob

Rob Chang Everest Climber, author and motivational speaker. To book Rob e-mail

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