October 22, 2013

IMG guide Erica Engle reports that the team had a nice time visiting Tengboche monastery and the nunnery in Deboche, and have now moved up the valley to Pangboche.  This is one of the larger towns in Khumbu and is the home of Ang Pasang and many of our IMG climbing sherpas. Visiting Ama Dablam Base Camp is a great hiking destination, but there is still a lot of snow higher up the valley (left over from the storm that followed the recent cyclone).  So, rather than sidehilling to the BC from Dingboche (original plan) the team is going to go directly up to BC from Pangboche via the climber’s trail that has been kicked in.  It should be a great acclimatization hike!

Eric Simonson

October 21, 2013

Crossing the Dudh Kosi at Phunki, below Tengboche (Eric Simonson)

After two days in Namche for acclimatization hiking, IMG guide Erica Engle reports that the team are doing well.  Today they descended to cross the Dudh Kosi river, then ascended up and over the Tengboche ridge, before dropping back down to Deboche (about 12,000 feet).  This is a small group of houses and lodges situated in the rhododendron forests down by the river.  Tomorrow the team will have a full day to explore the monastery area, and some of the members are going to head up at dawn, for the morning prayers.  They will also get a chance to do some more acclimatization hiking up the Lhamo Gang ridge toward Kangtega Peak.

Eric Simonson

October 19, 2013

From: Erica Engle
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2013 3:54 AM
To: Eric Simonson
Subject: Namche

Hi Eric,

We had a good day hiking up Namche hill yesterday, everyone moved relatively evenly and no one dropped off the back.  Pasang, Mingma, and Gamgyl are all doing a great job too.  Today we went to the Saturday market, the museums and Everest viewpoint. Clouds kept the view mostly obscured but offered just enough to fill everyone with excited anticipation. The market was full of interesting things, most notably dried fish on skewers, flanks of meat hanging in the cooling house, and sacks of the dried yeast balls used to make chang. At the two museums, we enjoyed the interpretive displays, the traditional Sherpa house replica and an interesting slideshow about the Khumbu and Sherpa culture. We also persuaded Pasang to let us take a photo of him next to his portrait in the “Everest Summiters Room” at the cultural museum.  Now we are enjoying a relaxed afternoon exploring the amenities of bustling Namche. Tomorrow we plan to hike up to Kunde and Khumjung for further acclimatization and exploration before setting off further up the Khumbu the following day. Everyone is feeling healthy and enthusiastic for the coming days!

Cheers
Erica