October 24, 2015
Namche Bazaar
Dear Family & Friends
Today was a rest day in Namche Bazaar.
Namche is the most famous village in the Khumbu Valley and is the gateway to the High Himalaya. The elevation of Namche is 11,286 feet.
Namche is the main trading hub for the Khumbu region. The downtown area is populated with lots of store front shops, restaurants, bakeries and hotels.
Namche is popular with climbers, trekkers and tourists, and most mountain expeditions will spend 2 nights here to acclimatize.
Although this was a rest day, we trekked up to Hotel Everest View to get a good look at Mt. Everest.
The day was sunny and beautiful, so the views were spectacular. We were back at the Panorama Lodge by noon and had a tasty lunch.
In the afternoon, many of us wandered down to the market district in Namche and picked up some missing items.
Tomorrow, at 9 am we’ll be back on the trekking trail headed for Khumjung where we will spend the night. In the afternoon, we plan to visit the Hillary School in Khumjung and the hospital in Khunde. My Sherpa friend, Mingma Tshering, is a medical doctor at the hospital, and he will be giving us a tour of the hospital.
Bill
The Team in Phakding
Trekking to Namche Bazaar
Daniel Powell, aka Captain Challenge
Kathy Myers
Bud Allan
Bill Burke
Namche Bazaar
Right to left-Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Mt. Everest
Hotel Everest View
Left hand pointing at Mt. Everest and right hand pointing at Burke-Khang
Namche Bazaar market area
Namche Bazaar market area
Just curious…what are all those things hanging off of the bridge that looks like rags?? Thanks
These are Buddhist Prayer Flags. Buddhist scripture is written on the flags, and when the flags blow in the wind, the prayers are sent heavenward.
The updates and photographs are outstanding !!! Thank you
My favorite village! A lot of memories there.
Got to hand it to you, Bill, for following your passion. The photos put life to the written descriptive reports you send back. Good that eventually you will have a photo of everyone on the expedition.
Keep in there punchin’,
Bob Aronoff
Great picture showing how close Burke-Khang is to Everest.
Your photos & comments are so interesting & knowledgeable. Thank you for all of your efforts to keep us informed. Blessings, Betty
Bill,
The beauty of your words are only outdone by the skill and beauty you show us in your photos. Anyone would want to be there. Thank you for sharing…my first Email hit of the morning and revisit before bed. Just the best.
As usual you makes us feel like we are right there with you Pictures are great and you are at your happiness right now safe journey
I suppose those bridges are a bit easier than a Tyrolean traverse!
Fantastic narrative! I love your team.
Paul
Ever grateful for these great updates and photos and the daily connection. I’m devouring every morsel. Thank you. Thinking of all of you every minute of this fantastic journey.
Awsome photos and very exciting…..every time I read a post its like an injection of pure motivation for this office-dweller…..keep ’em coming.
I love the beauty of this part of the world. I don’t think I could have walked over that bridge- how far above ground is it? I’m glad there are so many blessings in the area.
Love Namche! Looks like it hasn’t changed–so colorful!!
Bill, these are great photographs and I am really enjoying reading the blog and accompanying comments. It’s obvious from the photos that the Khumbu is a lot more developed than it was when I was there in 1987. . . although I’d agree that Namche looks pretty much the same.
Bill,
Enjoyed the pictures. Looking forward to more.