Emerald Odyssey Expeditions

Hey Everyone! If your looking for Spring Basecamp 2010 photos check out the website or click on this link, Exped Photos!

Hot and sweaty Kathmandu, winding down our travels from Basecamp and we made it a day late because of the weather in Lukla. Most spent the day better the Starbucks, the bakery and the Wave’s Pub. Yes, I did say Starbucks, Starbucks Lukla! I (& others) bought an overpriced mug, how could we resist!
We gambled on the weather, booked a helicopter and we found ourselves back in Kathmandu by the late morning. Some haggling, some shopping and we went to visit 3 of 7 of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu. Firstly, Swayambhunath, maybe more famously known as ‘Monkey Temple’. Built in the 1st century, thought to be a lone island on the lake now considered the Kathmandu Valley. Bodhnath, built in the 4th century, it’s the largest Stupa in Nepal and one of the largest in the world. Also considered the religious centre for Tibetans around the world. Lastly, Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most important Hindu temples on the bank of the Bagmati River.
Back for a final group dinner at K-Too’s and said goodbye to out first member; headed home to Canada! An early morning and 4 more members make a dash out of Kdu and off to India for a long layover.
Myself and Kathleen have a couple of more days here in Kathmandu and got the chance to visit the new (1 year old) Royal Palace National Museum. I have to admit, it was an exciting moment for me as the Royal family has indirectly been a part of my life since 2001 when, after Everest, the Royal Palace Massacre occurred and has lead to years of growing pains for a country now struggling with trying to produce a consititution and become a Federal Democratic Republic.
Back into the real world now and there is nothing like a stinking long flight to allow you to reflect on the last three weeks. After the tough climb into Namche and an extra day to acclimate the weather continually improved for us. We trekked through the lower river valley and up into Thangboche at 3870ms. Fog and mist added to the mystique of the Monestary and made travel across the courtyard (to the bakery) challenging. We woke up to a beautiful morning and traveling through the Inja Khola river valley we left treeline behind us, through Pangboche (last perminent settlement in the valley) and up into Dingboche; now over 4300ms. Efforts by group members to play some pool at the local billards room were blocked by the fact that few of us knew exactly how to play snooker (figured we might loose the rest of our money to the porters!)
The next day was a huge climb day to the summit of Nagkar Tshang, 510ms. Sometimes refered to as an active rest day it has been duly noted that it usually considered one of the hardest days on the trek, climbing almost 700ms straight up! (to quote in a gentle Irish brod, ‘rest day my arse!’) While hard, it gets everyone a good gulp of rare air and helps acclimate nicely fir the next few ‘hard’ days ahead!
Another beautiful day for the trek along the high plateau above Pheriche and turning up the Khumbu glacier valleyp towards Lobouche and BC. After a long climb over the glacial moranies (or ‘meranges’ for those dreaming of food), we spent some time amoung the lost souls of the Khumbu. Called chorgens, they are stone memorials to those adventurers who have lost their lives (mostly Sherpa) in the surrounding peaks. Into Lobuche, still just under 5000m, most were really starting to feel the altitude and we are now into borrowed time. Most people can acclimatise to these altitudes but trouble tends to show itself from here up. Our group, while fit and well prepared still began to show the effects of altitude. Headaches and sleepless nights we cautiously move on. Our summit days started early, leaving Lobuche at 6:30, to Gorak Shep, and onto BC! We made it into BC at 5300m in good time, with beautiful blue skys and reasonable temps! Our trip out gave a dose of reality when two bodies of climbers lost in the icefall from years past were transported out on stretchers by Sherpa teams.
A typical night in Gorak Shep as the team struggled with the big days and altitude. Our next objective, Kalipathar, 5545ms! The weather didn’t disappoint, beautiful stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse greeted the summit team at the highest point of the trek! A new feature of summiting was the ability for your average trekker to send immediate updates via SMS text message from your cell phone! We slowly decended back to Gorak Shep and in order to help everyone struggling with the altitude decended a 1000ms to the valley bottom at Pheriche 4200ms.

After a long day, from summit to valley through the heat, dust, and lastly rain and hail we made it into town and a well deserved treat, a yak steak!! While most were (rightly) hesitant about eating meat after seeing the butcher along the trail, few could resist the heavily craved protien & we all globled down our steak and fries quickly. Best yak steak ever! (probibly only yak steak for most too!)
With a promised (real honest do nothing rest day ahead), we pushed on through Pangboche and had a great visit to an old friend Lama Geisha who offered us prayers and blessings for our families and for safe travels home. We visited the 600 year old Monestary in town and made our way along lesser travelled roads to Phortse, and then to Khunde and Kumgjung and a much anticipated rest day. Most spend the evening relaxing while others could hardly resist enjoying a game of high altitude volleyball with a couple of local kids and later, an impromtu visit to the Khunde hospital. Many thanks go out to Dr. Kami who gratiously drugged up Joe and reduced his dislocated finger with a loud pop and all on his day off!! A donation of services rendered and some entertaining video and we were back at the lodge for a late dinner and our first well deserved, San Migel beer! The next day was spent catching up on emails, visiting the Hillary school, and combing the hill sides for snow leapords and birds (neither were found). We visited the local Gompa and were able to see the last known Yeti skull… don’t get me started on that!

The next few days rolled along like we were on cruise control. We watched the world record sky dive at Syangboche, 9050ms! (?) with almost 2 kms of freefall! Very cool! Shopping and lunch back in Namche, and down the big hill into Monjo or Monzu, all depends on what book you read or sign you look at.
Back down in the river valley well below treeline, our last day travel to Lukla was hot and extremely muggy but we were rewarded with happy hour drinks at the Wave’s Pub and a room with a private bathroom, shower and butler services provided by the giagantic spider in Tom and Karen’s room! Ok, so it wasn’t a very good butler but it sure makes for an interesting story and cool pictures. (I didn’t tell my roommate that he moved into our room for the next night, somethings are better not said!).
All in all, a fantastic trip! We were able to meet many of our goals, everyone stayed reasonably healthy (a feat all itself!), and soon we will all be home to our families and friends with great pictures and memories! My thanks go out to all the team members for putting all your heart and effort into your trip! For taking time away from your families and for keeping good spirits and staying motivated even if you weren’t feeling great yourself! For dealing with dislocated fingers, cracked and tingling toes, moustaches, creepy Chinese photographers, cold drafty nights, sleepless roomates, veggie everything, wind, dust, rain and snow, armed police, razor wire and marching masses, uncertain political situations and pushy peddlers, cochroaches and spiders! All for the chance to see a giant pile of rock and ice! A place that literally touches the sky, the home of Gods, a place that gives and takes life indescrimitaly, a home to some of the most selfless, strong, welcoming and wonderful people, one of the most beautiful, increasingly important and protected national parks in the world, the highest mountains in the world! Thanks to Karma, Keepr and our porters! Well done everyone!
Namaste,
Deryl
Emerald Odyssey Expeditions.

Just going to post a couple of pictures here and some brief notes.

The team made it into basecamp and up Kalipathar (5560m) and back down to valley and the small town of Pheriche, losing more than a 1000 m’s in a long day. Tired, but motivated the team trekked on though steep hill sides and cliffs to reach Phortse and then on to Khumjung where we are today. We’ve been enjoying a real rest day, as opposed to an active rest day where we climbed to over 5000ms out of Dingbouche in preparation for our basecamp and summit push!

Slow internet connections and trouble uploading photos have made it difficult to post, so, a couple of more pictures and more updates from Kathmandu.

Thanks to the beautiful and wonderful, Minister of the House for updating the site for us! Love you Baby!
Namaste,
Deryl

Does anyone recognize this finger? I’ll give you a hint…I can type normally still. None of the girls enjoy high altitude Volleyball games.
No rest day seems complete without a trip to the Khunde Hospital, who knew that they had X-ray services.
Photo published with expressed consent by the pt, JC.

just a quick post from the group! We’ve made it into Khumjung for a couple days of rest and apple pie! All is well and I’ll try and load some pics and more details tomorrow! Time for a rest!

Hello, MOTH here again,
The team made it to Mt. Everest Basecamp yesterday, and early the next morning a successful summit of Kalapathar, almost 5600M.
They are now on their way back down.
Apparently they had beautiful weather for the summit of Kalapathar, which is the mountain top that affords Fabulous views of Mt. Everest and it’s surrounding mountains.
Good job team!!

I had a text from Deryl early this morning-
The whole group has made it to Lobuche.
Everyone is doing well,
and they will trek into Mt. Everest Base camp tomorrow!
Good luck Trekkers!!!
MOTH (Min. of the House)

Hello! Minister of the house here-
The group has made it into Dingboche. They have scaled up Nangkar- cheng (sp?), an altitude of about 4900 meters. Almost there!

Minister of the House here!
(In Nepal they refer to the wife as “Minister of the House”)
I had a text from Deryl saying that the team had a good flight in to Lukla, and have trekked just past Phakding to a very nice new Lodge where they will spend the night.
All members of the team are feeling good!
Emails have not been getting through, but I have been able to get text messages.

I will post any new info when I get some!
Namaste,
Sandy

All is well, the team has made it into Kathmandu with all out bags and good spirits. Travel from all directions went well for all team members with very little headaches and hick-ups. And then we arrive in Kathmandu! So I’ll give you a bit of an update with what I know, first some general background in April 2008 The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) won the largest number of seats in the Constituent Assembly election and formed a coalition government which included most of the parties in the CA. After that point the monarch was removed from power and (the unpopular) King was given 15 days to vacate the Royal Palace, in order to re-open it as a public museum. In August 2008, Maoist leader Prachanda was elected Prime Minister of Nepal, the first since the country’s transition from a monarchy to a republic. In May 2009, Prachanda resigned over on-going conflicts. (excerpts from