October 28, 2015
Gokyo

Dear Family & Friends:

This morning, Kathy Myers’ Mom passed away.

Libby Amos was 100-years old and lived in an assisted living facility in LaPorte, Indiana. She recently fell and broke several ribs. She passed away in the hospital while talking to Kathy, who called her Mom on a satellite telephone from Machermo. Kathy’s last words to her Mom were “I love you Mom.”  Upon hearing these words from her beloved daughter, Libby Amos peacefully passed into the arms of the Lord.

Kathy built a Memorial Cairn  in honor of her Mom at one of the beautiful glacial lakes on the way to Gokyo. Kathy’s plans for continuing the expedition are uncertain. Please include Kathy and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Rebecca York, our sweet and beautiful young trekker, turned 31 today. We are all honored to be sharing this birthday with Rebecca. She brings so much brightness and joy to the entire team.

The trek to Gokyo (15,500 feet) was easy and enjoyable. The mountain vistas get more spectacular with every foot of elevation gain. Gokyo Lake and the village of  Gokyo are breathtakingly beautiful. The photos do not do justice to this paradise on earth, but I will share them with you anyway.

As soon as we arrived, it started snowing. We don’t want more snow on our mountain.

We will be staying here 2 nights, and then we push into tent camping territory as we make our final move up to Burke-Khang Base Camp. I’m already dreaming about starting the ascent of Burke-Khang on the fixed lines.

Tomorrow, on our “rest day,” we will do an acclimatization hike of Gokyo Ri, the mountain near Gokyo. The elevation gain is 1,000 feet. Our plan is to reach the summit of Gokyo Ri in time to watch the sunrise on Mt. Everest.

Today, Sid completed a short reconnaissance of Burke-Khang. He didn’t reach the mountain, but was able to gain a ridge-line where he could see the mountain and take some photos. So fun and exciting to see our mountain.

Once we start tent-camping, it will be harder to send photos and e-mails. When we reach that point, I’ll send audio reports with my satellite telephone.

Bill

p.s. The day ended with the delivery of a beautiful and delicious chocolate birthday to Rebecca. We serenaded her with the birthday song.

Our Sweet Cathy with the Cairn she built for Mom

Our Sweet Cathy with the Cairn she built for Mom

Our Sweet Rebecca on her birthday

Our Sweet Rebecca on her birthday

The Team

The Team

Jenna

Jenna

The Birthday Girl

The Birthday Girl

Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lake and Gokyo

Gokyo Lake and Gokyo

Our Tea House

Our Tea House

Rebecca's cake pic

Rebecca’s cake pic