Namaste Family & Friends:
Yesterday, we had our Puja at Base Camp. Some Puja photos are attached to this message. The Puja is a Buddhist prayer ceremony considered very sacred by the Sherpas. In fact, the climbing Sherpas will not sleep on the mountain until the Puja has been completed.
At the Puja, a Buddhist Priest (“Lama”), blesses the expedition, including the climbers, the Sherpas, the food, the equipment and every aspect of the expedition. The Lama sits in front of a stone structure and reads Buddhist scripture. As Expedition Leader, I was asked to sit next to the Lama. See photo below. While the Lama reads scripture, juniper is burned. During the ceremony, rice is scattered by the Lama, the Sherpas and the climbers.
In the middle of the ceremony, a large pole is raised and planted in the stone structure. Buddhist prayer flags are attached to the pole and stretched out in all directions around our camp. Food is placed at the top of the pole, and it is considered good luck if a Gorak (a large black bird) lands on the pole. See photo below. At the conclusion of the ceremony the climbers and the Sherpas perform a “Puja Dance.”
This was the best Puja I have attended on Everest. The weather was beautiful and the young Lama was very impressive in his prayers and his reading of scripture.
All of the climbers in our expedition moved up to Camp 1 this morning. I guess they were anxious to get moving. Bud Allen and I decided to wait for the crowd to clear, so we will be moving up on April 25. What’s the big hurry?
Bud, Allan and I are all doing well, physically, mentally and spiritually. Poor Allan has had some stressful days at Base Camp since he is in charge of setting up the communication tent. There were some problems with insufficient power for all of the equipment brought by the climbers. This required us to ration the power. Some of the other climbers were not happy about this and Allan had to deal with their complaints. He was not the cause of the power problem, but they still came to him with their issues. He handled this with grace and style, and I am very proud of him for his performance. Thanks to Allan, I think we have the power problem resolved. See the photo of Allan in the communication tent.
In a future post, I will introduce the team. But, two brothers just arrived at Base Camp, one from Canada and one from the Czech Republic. I can tell they are going to be fun. They told me they are “older” climbers. When I asked their age, one said he was born in 1956. I told him I was born in 1942. He replied with amazement, “oh, such numbers have not been invented yet.” When one inquired about my plans and I spoke of the double summit, he said “this is good. I like crazy people.”
We are still seeing lots of helicopter evacuations from Base Camp.
Personal note to my family: will someone please give Ollie a big hug and kiss for me? He probably wonders where his Papa is. I would also appreciate it if someone would take him on bike rides on the weekend. He loves that. Don’t forget to pick up the new flag for the bike trailer. That flag is needed for safety. I ordered it from the neighborhood bike doctor.
Bill
The Puja
The Puja
Glad you’re feeling so strong. My students and I are enjoying your daily blogs and pictures. Will it be possible for you to take a picture of you wearing our South Middle School shirt at base camp so I can post it in my classroom while we follow your journey?
Our prayers go with you to have a safe summit (hopefully two summits!).
Yay for the Gorak!
Bill,
We have trying to spoil Ollie as much as we can on weekends. We picked up the new flag you ordered and Uncle Jeff and Auntie Lori have taken him on bike rides (much shorter than he is used to of course!). We rode the golf cart to Gelsons and Rite Aide yesterday and walked up and down all the isles (as the weather has not been great lately). Unlike you, he loves to shop!!!!
The comment, “this is good, I like crazy people” made me laugh so hard!!!
Be safe, we all love and miss you back here!
I look forward to your updates and I wish you a safe and happy adventure. I followed your efforts last year too. I hope mother nature and the powers that be will be on your side this year for your double summit.
Namaste.
Vanessa Allen
Bill,
Enjoying each of your updates. Good to hear you had such a nice Puja ceremony. I spent two nights in Gorak Shep one March and recall a Puja there. The Lama tossed something into a fire and flames shot up about 15 feet; I thought the snow on Nupste was going to melt off. Had it not been for the cap I was wearing, my hair would’ve been singed off, I’m sure! The juniper smoke is so nice and frangrant. Sorry to hear of the passing of several Sherpas. All best wishes as you and Allan head skyward.
Cheers,
K:-)
God Bless!!! Namaste Bill!!! great pictures!
I loved the description and the pictures of the puja — thank you!! Although I have read much, it brings all of this to life to see the casual pictures of you and the other climbers at this ceremony. And hang out for a day to let the crowd clear? Great idea!! Kathy and I snowshoed the back side of Gorgonio a week or so ago, right after a large snowstorm, to get a feel for what it will be to plow through snowdrifts — a beautiful day, only saw a couple of people all day. I thought of and prayed for you and your team, sort of a long-distance puja, if you will! Take care, Kit
You’ll love the Canadian. A crazy bunch! Stay strong.
Namaste, Bill. While you were partaking in the Puja ceremony and dance, Kathy, Andrew, Andi, Patti, and I did our summit shuffle (abbreviated because of a lack of space) on the summit of San Jacinto Saturday, April 21st. This was our last pre-hike before C2C on April 28th, and we trekked 9.4 miles through 3-4 feet of snow. We sent summit blessings your way.
Rockman
Bill:
A beautiful day for the puja ceremony. I think I saw a Gorak on top of that pole.
Can’t wait for you to introduce your team. Sounds like you will be having a lot
of laughs from the two brothers. Much needed…so good to keep the spirits up.
I also loved seeing those colorful flags against the white mountainside.
Hugs, Bobbie & John
Namaste Bill!
Great photos of the puja! I didn’t know that the h-e-** hole Gorak Shep meant Bird _______ (what is shep?)! Bird poop? Too funny! Glad the Gorak made it to the top of the puja pole. Best wishes up to Camp 1….be safe through the icefall.
Joni
Good to see and hear that you are doing well! Praying every day for God to guide your footsteps and keep you safe! Enjoy your time…thanks for all the wonderful pictures and messages home!