October 14, 2010
Team photo at the Rum Doodle in Kathmandu.
IMG Senior guide Mark Allen reports from Nepal that everything has gone smoothly for the autumn IMG team which consists of some Everest Base Camp trekkers, Lobuche (20,075ft) climbers and some Ama Dablam (22,494ft) climbers.
This morning everyone flew successfully to Lukla (about 9400’) and all their duffels made it in too, so that is a good way to start the trip – on schedule with all your gear!
Today they are hiking to Phakding, the first night on the trail, down in the river valley at about 8900 feet. After traveling halfway around the world, enduring the Kathmandu duffel shuffle and the excitement of finally hitting the trail,  that first night down by the Dudh Kosi River is fantastic — all the stress melts away and the sound of the river lulls you to sleep.
Tomorrow the team will trek to Namche Bazaar, and along the way they officially enter Sagarmatha National Park at the Monjo entrance station. So far everything is going well and we are looking forward to the next update from the team.
We’ll keep you posted!
Eric Simonson