Namche Bazaar
May 28, 2009
Namaste:
I’m finally back in the land of the living!
Yesterday, I left Base Camp and started the 35-mile journey to Lukla. The trip from Base Camp to Lobuche involved a lot of snow and a trail that was difficult to negotiate because of the snow, ice, slush and mud. The trek from Lobuche to Pheriche was really quite a pleasant journey, especially since there was less snow and I knew that I was homeward bound. I spent last night in Pheriche and was able to sleep in a real room in a real bed, instead of in a tent. This morning, I took my first shower in two weeks and brushed my teeth for the first time in 10 days.
Today, I moved from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar. This part of the trek was really enjoyable. As I moved down, everything turned to life. Instead of the overpowering whiteness of snow, with little sign of life other than other climbers and trekkers, I experienced lush green trees, vegetation, flowers, waterfalls, the sweet music of birds, the buzzing of insects, villagers going about their daily life and lots of animals. I loved to hear the sound of barking dogs. In addition, as I moved lower, the air became thicker with oxygen, and I could literally feel my body becoming stronger with each step. I could effortlessly move up steep hills that would have tired me at higher altitudes.
I will spend the night in Namche Bazaar and move down to Lukla tomorrow. The day-after-tomorrow, I hope to fly to Kathmandu. The rest of the team should have flown out today.
Here are some pictures I hope you will enjoy.
Bill
Ice Fall Puppy
Camp 3
Lhotse Face
Mt. Everest Summit Triangle
Camp 4
On The Summit
On The Summit
Mingma and Bill on the Summit
Post-Summit in the Tent at Camp 4
On the way down
Descending the Lhoste Face
Mingma and Bill
Ladder Crossing in the Ice Fall
Base Camp after the storm