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.

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.

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