April 1, 2021
We received  welcome updates overnight from both of the IMG Teams.  Down in Phaplu the Team 2 was up early looking at the weather and standing by for their helicopter flights to Lukla.  The team made a great decision to head out of KTM by vehicle in order to get to higher ground and clear skies, and they were rewarded with excellent weather and smooth flights. After departing Lukla via the famous Pasang Lamu Gate, the trail slowly traverses and descends to the Dudh Kosi river at Phakding.  Getting to Phakding is a great feeling. The river flowing along with cool and clean air is always a welcome feeling for the first day on the trail. Team 2 will head uphill to Namche in the morning!
Up in Namche, Team 1 had a casual morning at the lodge before taking the short trek up to Everest View Hotel. The clouds broke and the team got their first view of Mount Everest. Team 1 is feeling great and will head to Phortse in the morning.
Karma Rita also checked in overnight with some photos of the progress being made at Everest Base Camp. The advanced
team has been working hard! They now have all of the big tents up including the cook tents, dining tents, storage tents, charging and comms tents. They will now start carving out member tent platforms in anticipation of the teams arrival in just over a week. It is great to see the Puja Alter ready to go. We cannot wait to usher in the 2021 Everest/Lhotse Climbing Season with our entire team.
All is well in the Khumbu Valley!
Greg Vernovage