While much of the world celebrated Easter, Michael and his climbing team made an elevated journey to the Mt Everest Base Camp, where a whole new journey is about to begin.
On April 5 the team trekked to Pheriche (4240m) where the climbers participated in a traditional Puja ceremony. This hindu ceremony involves the offering of prayers and blessings for safety and success. You can see Michael being blessed by Llama Geshe above. The team stayed a The White Yak (if you're ever in the vicinity you can check it out here) for two nights to acclimatise to the new altitude.
After a bit of a rest, the climbing team headed out on April 7 to the town of Lobuche (4910m) a significant gain in altitude. They were surrounded by subalpine vegetation and the bleak, stunning scenery of the Upper Khumbu Glacier region. A plethora of peaks are now visible, including Kantega (6685m) and Thamserku (6608m) pictured above––along with the spectacular Pumori (7165m) and Nuptse (7861m).
On April 8 the team went on another hike out of Labouche, which saw them cross over the 5000m mark. The above picture features the climbing team in front of Nuptse. Reports are that everyone is in great spirits, healthy and eager to arrive at Base Camp.
April 9 started as every other climbing day: bags packed by 7am and breakfast eaten in time for an 8am departure. Out on the grassy slopes the team stopped for tea at Gorak Shep (5140m) before continuing along the rock trail to Base Camp where they were greeted with a hearty lunch. The Sherpa team had spent preceding weeks preparing the camp, which will be home for the next 7 weeks. The image above is of the dining tent.
From here Michael will rest, before another Puja ceremony, specific training for the Khumbu Icefall and the start of the Mt Everest Ascent proper.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Welcome to Base Camp
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3 comments:
This is thrilling stuff.
Very tidy work Mikey - only another 3000m to go and you can come home for hot chocolate - yes, with soya milk...
Go big fella...
Anthony, Marie and Aidan
c/o Foley Home for the Insane
To learn more about the Sherpa tribe that makes climbing Everest possible, read Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter's point of view.
Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com
Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer
Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.
A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com
A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review
LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera
LeBlanc's vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week
A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com
This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended."
-- John (college professor)
Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialogue. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA
This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels
The book is available from amazon.com, chesslerbooks.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders Stores, and the web site for an autographed copy.
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