Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Summits in the high Himalaya ...

Day 269 - Tuesday 7 October 2008

One down ... three to go ('remind me of the theory behind this 4am start stuff and views?!') - Gokyo Ri 5357 MASL































It's two and two ('OK - I didn't expect to CLIMB up here in snow this deep - but it's some of the most exhilirating stuff of my life!') - Cho La Pass 5368 MASL



































3 up and 1 to play ('Well gang - we're as high up Everest as you can go without being either a mountaineer or related to Tenzing Norgay Sherpa') - Khumbu Glacier (Everest Base Camp) 5364 MASL



































4 from 4 and it's in the bag ('OK - I admit it - that was bloody hard - quick - pass me my Indian produced Cadbury's Dairy Milk before I collapse?!') - Kala Patthar 5550 MASL































And for a final bonus number 5 ('Hang on - wasn't this a day off for doing so well earlier in the trek - nice and sunny mind') - Ama Dablam Base Camp 4790 MASL




















This selection of 'summits' in the high Himalaya is dedicated to the Intrepid/Himalayan Encounters crew who took part in the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes trek that started in Kathmandu on 17 September 2008 and finished triumphantly back in Kathmandu on 7 October 2008

To the Guide: Ashok

To the Assistant Guides: Raj, Nema and Iswor

To the 'hard as nails' Porters: Brikh (Super Porter), Shyla, Padam and Mayaila

And to the trekkers: Anna, Paul, Sam, Ed, Ang, DJ, Ben, James and Abhishek

I congratulate you all on the most memorable few weeks (and especially early mornings) of my adventure

It was a pleasure to share the endless footsteps, stare in admiration at the crystal clear views and gasp for air at high altitude alongside each and everyone of you

Until our trekking paths cross again I send you all my very best thoughts ...

(A different blog post courtesy of Blogger's fiddly software and Kathmandu's indifferent internet connections this afternoon - the fuller story will follow - but with a smaller selcetion of photos than I would like to share with you all back in England, Australia and the USA - you'll just have to invite me round and I'll show you endless shots that'll make your jaw drop!)

3 comments:

Sally Elliott said...

Fantastic stuff Jez - looks amazing and I am sure we thoroughly let you off for the lack of blogging now we can see where you were!!! Hope all is well with you. Not that long left now so keep making the most of it all.
Lots of love
Sally

Sally Elliott said...

Jezmond

Once again you were missed at the Jackson wedding, great do Robbie and Jane on top top form. Suspect you missed us less given the epic climbing. Wonder how long it will be after you get back that Gars calls them just hills with snow on! Maybe not now he's happily hitched.
Get back to the adventuring old chum and look forward to catching up again soon.
Nice reference to D-O-T antiques!
Take care

Els

Growbag said...

'Kissing the guns' oh the happy memories!!! Great work