Well, back to some sort of civilization... i gauge that by how accessable internet is.
SO...
Day 7 - Dingboche to Lobuche
this was a pretty good day. it was very nice and sunny out. mostly flat climbing for the first hour or two. then we started to go UP UP UP! sylvie commented that she thought that hour or so of going up was worse than the hike to Namche. it was bad, because it was so hot, but i didn't find it worse than Namche. after the big UP we came to the "memory place", which is where there are a bunch of memorials for famous or well loved climbers/sherpas who died on the mountain. we got into lobuche early, and since we aren't allowed to sleep while trying to acclimatize it was a BIG WAIT before we could finally go to bed. it started snowing that evening. it was cold, but not terrible. they don't start the "dung fires" until about 5pm every day, so the dinning rooms are quite cold until they are lit. then it gets sweltery hot.
Day 8 - Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (then back to Gorak Shep)
i don't think i slept much the night before. the altitute has made it more difficult to catch your breath, even at a resting stage. we started relativly early, like 730am. we were all anxious to get going because it was going to be a long day. there was snow on the ground as we hiked. but it made things look really nice. it was a hard day. we ascended about 300m. we took it very slow. before we get to base camp you come to gorak shep. we were told that we had to stay here for an hour to help acclimatize (plus that was where are rooms were going to be so we unloaded our stuff there). we were told we should eat something here too. pete was visibly annoyed at the delay. the day had be beautiful so far. no wind and clear in every direction. a we got into gorak shep the clouds were starting to form. so pete wanted to get going. but it was out of our hands, we had to stay 1 hour. by the time we got going it was snowing. everyone was worried. to come all that way without seeing the mountians would be a disappointment. it took us 3 hours to get there. it was hard. the terrain is so difficult in places. like a long stretch of just boulders you have to climb over. as we got closer we rallied behind dad. he was slow, but we decided he should be the first to get there (except randy, who just does whatever). so after one last push up the boulders we arrived. it was a great experience. we all celebrated, took pictures, then sat around catching our breath. luckily, as we came into base camp the clouds began to part. we spent about an hour there and were able to see the mountains really well. i was really dizzy there. i had trouble walking around because i would get up and feel light headed. luckily i had a snack and that seemed to help. i took some pictures, peed on the khumbu ice field, and collected some rocks for souveniers. after about an hour, we left. as soon as we hit the trail it started to snow again. our timing was perfect.
it should also be noted that we ALL made it with little to no signs of AMS. we took no medication and we all did it 100% on our own power. we are EBC snobs now because we did it without diamox.
when we got back to gorak shep we were wasted. i think i went to bed at 7pm, and slept right till 8pm.
Day 9 - Gorak Shep to Pheriche
early in the morning (5am) ian, peter and randy climbed kala pattar. it was optional and i decided not to go. since i didn't go, i can't comment on it. but they did say it was the hardest hike they have ever done. and i believe them. kala pattar is 5555m. everest base camp is only 5364m.
when they got back from their summit, we ate breakfast and headed out. today was long. we ascended 1000m!!! and must have walked at least 18-20km. it was all downhill though. it is a little bit depressing having to walk back, now that our goal has been reached. but i'm ready to be nearly done. it has gotten warmer as we have come down too. it wasn't that cold at base camp, by the way. we all thought it would be colder. in fact, none of us have really been cold at all this trip. we must be true canadians.
things i have learned on this trip:
- justin bieber is everywhere
- if you need a book to read at a teahouse, inevitably it will be "the hunger games" or "twilight"
for my next trick i am going to make my Mom gag, from all they way over here in nepal! there are a few sounds that will now forever remind me of the trail. one, yak bells. you constantly here them, since they are constantly on the trail. next, spitting. and not just polite "ew, there is a fly in my mouth" spitting. i'm talking from the bottom of your butt, red-neck, honky-tonk gooey-loogey hawking. it is gross, but i will think of that sound fondly now. the last is farmer blowing. not must you can do about it. my new rule on the trail is that if the locals are doing it, then i can too. so natrually on my way down to gorak shep the need arose to blow my nose. so what did i do? farmer blew, naturally. peter saw me do it, and instead of being discusted he commented on the impresive velocity and volume, then applauded my efforts. i must have some beazer in me after all. and now, my Mom has been gagging for the last 30 seconds. your welcome!
i don't know why i told you that story.
in other news, i may have a new little brother OR nepalese lover. i'm not quite sure. our assistant guide has been trying to teach me some nepalese words. he calls me "AnnieDeeDee", which means sister (i think). then i call him "GunessBahee", which means little brother. he insists that i call him that whenever he says AnnieDeeDee. it's become this "thing". he is very sweet, but it is getting old. but he lights up so when i say anything in nepalese that is is hard to deny him. he likes to talk to me and sylvie, we have noticed. he has wanted to take pictures with everyone too. i think he is just enthusiastic about learning some english.
anyway, we are less than a week away from home! i am excited. we will be clocking about 18-20km per day. they will be long, but that's okay.
this place has wifi, so maybe i will try to send a few pictures too.
namche tomorrow, so i will send pictures there for sure!
NAMASTE!
