October 22, 2015
Phakding, Nepal
Dear Family & Friends:
We were up this morning at 4 am and in the lobby of the Yak & Yeti at 5 am. We arrived at the airport early and our flight to Lukla departed at 6:50 am. Our team occupied the entire aircraft.
The 50-minute flight to Lukla was uneventful, although many of us were sure the pilot was going to head back to the airport at KTM because of heavy cloud cover near Lukla.
We had a good breakfast at the Panorama Lodge in Lukla, took a group photo at the beginning of the trekking trail and the expedition officially began. No matter how many times I come here, the excitement of being in the Himalaya Mountain Range is always fresh and new. I love it here.
The trek to Phakding, which is downhill from Lukla, took 3 hours, and we arrived in Phakding at 1 pm. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch and most everyone took the afternoon off.
We are staying at the Sunrise Lodge in Phakding, which is one of my favorite lodges on the entire Everest trekking trail. The dining room and kitchen are immaculate, with beautiful, rich cedar wood. The food is excellent, and they grow many of their own vegetables. The sleeping rooms are also clean and nice.
Tomorrow, we head for Namche Bazaar, where we will stay for two nights.
Everyone on the team is happy and doing well.
For those family members and friends who are worrying about a loved one, please know that the trekking trail we are moving up is wide and safe, we always move together as a team and we constantly monitor the condition of each other. In the unlikely event a team member cannot continue to move up, he or she will be accompanied back down to Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu. In the even more unlikely event that a team member is injured or sick and cannot move up or down, helicopter evacuation is easy, safe and effective.
Most importantly, throughout the day, I communicate regularly with God concerning the safety of the team, and I can assure you from many personal experiences up high on Mt. Everest that He is always listening. After all, when we journey in the Himalaya, we are traveling in God’s Country.
Please try to replace those thoughts of worry and anxiety with gratitude that your loved one is partaking in the adventure of a lifetime and will come home with warm memories and many stories to tell.
Bill
Lukla
Trekking to Phakding
Phakding
Group having lunch at the Sunrise Lodge in Phakding
Sunrise Lodge
Sunrise Lodge
Sunrise Lodge
John Dahlem
Jenna Green
Rebecca York
Garrett & Sid
Paul & Denise Fejtek
Martha Levin
Mr. Burke,
Thank you for sharing this post… and the photos. A great reminder to turn thought of worry or anxiety to thoughts of thankfulness…. not only good advice for your family and friends about you and your team, but also in daily life back here at home. I have no doubt that God is watching over you and your team and guiding you. thank you for boldly sharing your faith! Joshua 1:9 ♥
To the entire team,
You are so blessed to experience this awesome adventure. I admire your courage and resolve to living life to its fullest. You are an inspiration…..Thank you for sharing with us.
Dear Bill,
Your spirit is contagious. It is my own adventure..through you. As one of the best representatives of what I now have come to believe, through your example to some extent, as God’s wish for every man/woman. LIVE!! Not in fear but faith. God Bless you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for OUR adventure.
Dear Bill,
Your resolve is incredible. I so look forward to receiving communications from you. Pictures are great,nice seeing faces and names. I will keep all of you in my prayers for a safe and successful journey. God Bless You All every minute of every day.
Looks like so much fun!!! Enjoy every minute.
Hi Bill. Never gets tired of hearing about your adventure. Be safe.
WOW! What an adventure! I envy all of you! Thank you Bill for posting this blog…I look forward to reading it every day!
Hi Bill, thank you for sharing your adventure. I have followed your previous trips and they are very engaging and they teleport me into the Himalayas! I am ready for this adventure too and looking forward to your regular updates.
Stay Safe and please wish the entire team the very best!
Thank you for all the pictures and report. It makes feel like we are part of your great adventure
We are praying you will have a wonderful climb. God Bless You . Wayne & Virginia
Dear Bill:
Tou truly are, one in a million. God speed!
Lori
Dear Bill:
You truly are, one in a million. God speed!
Lori
I remember the flight to Lukla, the milk river, suspension bridges and the lodge in Phakding vividly! Sooo wish I were there!!!
Hello team! You folks look great.
I remember John Dahlem’s “Suggestions for Climbing Mt. Everest.” Very helpful.
I’m taking notes Bill.
P.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Very inspiring! Best wishes to the team.