October 19, 2015

Pheriche with Cho Oyu and Lobuche (Tye Chapman)

IMG Guide Cedric Gamble is guiding in the Khumbu Valley for the first time.  I take great joy in reading his short update to us.  I felt like sharing this would be a great way to start the week!  Cedric is a pretty good writer.

“The roads follow the rivers, as roads are apt to do; though no wheeled machines travel here. In places the road is no wider than a sidewalk and simply a dirt trail, and at other times it’s large enough for a truck and paved with carefully cut pavers. The engineering and construction is astounding when you remember everything was done by hand.

Up and down the stairs, across the steep slopes and over the rivers, the road is the lifeline for the Khumbu. The tinkle of bells tells you donkeys or horses are coming, and a much deeper ringing announces the approach of yaks. Porters carry loads, sometimes in flip flops.

The deep evergreen forests of the lower valley have yielded to sparser vegetation of rhododendron and juniper. Still the road plunges on and all along it visits villages large and small. The buildings are beautiful; made from granite bricks with colorful windows and doors. Small shops offer food and trinkets while the generous proprietors of larger tea houses provide room and board for trekkers.

Of course there are the mountains too. Snow and ice cling to impossibly steep faces of peaks that look so close they could topple down on top of you. Each morning they glow in greeting to the sun, and each afternoon they slowly don their cloaks of swirling cloud.

The Sherpa are the most amazing part of this place. They make a life in such a harshly beautiful mountain home, and are utterly happy and at peace. Even after the destruction of the earthquake last year, they are vigorously rebuilding and still welcoming Trekkers into their homes and tea houses. In kitchens with wooden sinks and fired stoves they cook delicious meals for large groups. Life moves at a slower pace here, but a pace more in tune with the mountains.

I feel very fortunate to be here. It is a special place, with very special people.” – Cedric Gamble

Greg Vernovage

October 18, 2015

Not every day on the trek needs to be a marathon.  Today, the team woke up in Tengboche and only had to trek for about 4 hours.  It is a nice walk with Ama Dablam keeping the team company most of the way.

The Team pulled into Pangboche and had a good lunch and after lunch visited Lama Geshe.  This is when the fireworks started.  “Amazing!”  This was the word from both Cedric and Craig as they chuckled.  Lama Geshe has this way of telling the Team a story and laughing.  Without having a complete understanding of what he is saying, you still find yourself laughing and having fun with him.

The team was sharing the afternoon with Lama Geshe when a visitor stopped in to say hello.  The visitor was a Lama Reincarnate.  This is a very special occasion.  Very nice.

On this day, we had a surprise awaiting our team and a married couple.  Lama Geshe performed a Puja Ceremony in honor of the couple’s Wedding Anniversary.  Congratulations!

It was a beautiful day outside and the mountains were out and showing their greatness as well!

Greg Vernovage

October 17, 2015

I got a few photos overnight from Craig.  The skies are clear and the team is having a great time.  Taking off from Namche and heading up the valley always feels like I am leaving the big city.  As we all know, Namche is the main town of the Khumbu Valley.  Everyone comes through here to buy, sell and trade…it has been this way for hundreds of years.

As the team leaves Namche, they head uphill and get their heart rate up before leveling off for a couple hours.  About 30 minutes into the days trek, they wrap around a corner and BANG!  There it is.  A beautiful range that makes your mind race with climbing daydreams.  Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest way out there just to name a few.

This is great day on the trail, the team has started getting into a rhythm and are continuing conversations with new friends.  A visit to Tengboche Monastery tomorrow and up the trail to Pengboche!

Greg Vernovage

October 16, 2015

Craig checked in after a great day with the Lobuche Team.  They had a good night sleep and were up early for a walk up to the Everest View Hotel.  The mountains are staying hidden for the time being but the team had a short glimpse of Ama Dablam.  They will have more days with the mountains in their sights.  After taking a quick break it was off to visit the Hillary School and Khumjung.

Back to the Teahouse in the early afternoon for some tea and rest.  Tomorrow is the down and up day to Tengboche.  The reward is a beautiful monastery!

Greg Vernovage

October 15, 2015

All is well in the Khumbu.  The Team was up bright and early and ready to go.  It was a slightly earlier departure with a touch of precipitation in the forecast for the afternoon.  They pulled into Namche before the afternoon shower but not before experiencing the beautiful suspension bridge (yes, from what I hear, it is the one from the movie). And the Namche hill.

Namche hill is the team’s first test at trekking uphill at altitude.  They will have a good rest and then visit the bazaar tomorrow as well as catch their first good look at Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest.

Greg Vernovage