There are times, finally, when there is nothing that needs to be done. When the bags have been repacked in Kathmandu. When flights over a hazy terrai into a perched Lukla have been taken. When feet have trekked through Phakding to Namche. When the hot lemon or hot Tang have been drunk. And when nature's calls have been satisfied. Then it is time to sit against a rock, not an ordinary one, but a mani rock with mantras carved into the stone, with bright blue paint to accent them. Then it is time to listen to the Dudh Kosi rushing the melted glaciers to the sea. Then it is time to gaze upward at immense rock and glaciers above. It may even be time to do some yoga to relax the body and breathe.
This morning started with views of Everest, a great plume of clouds to the east. We are in Namche, approximately 11,300 ft. Feeling good, today we climbed a fun ridge above Namche, exposing our bodies to the thinner air of 2,000 fewer feet. The ridge offerred us a chance to breathe a little more quickly, and some great views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Descending into Kunde, we were able to visit a hospital, and the Hillary school in Khumjung on the way back. We even managed to see a yeti skull; somehow coconuts have a strikingly similar appearance.
What is great about this trip, this trek, this climb, is getting to the space where you appreciate the hot in the hot shower, the clean in the clean socks, the salt in the salty popcorn, the deep in the deep breath.
As you have seen from Monty's last post, we are going to be under quite a few additional restrictions from April 1 through May 10, and our communications will be limited. The good news is that we'll be able to go up to Camp 3 prior to May 1, which will be great for our acclimatization. For now, our plan is to head up to Base Camp over the next week or so, then Monty and I will go climb Lobuche (~20,000 ft) to acclimatize prior to going through the icefall for the first time. Then we'll be up and down Everest (up to Camp 3) getting ready. Things are going well, Monty and I are both healthy, and our IMG team members are all good and strong teammates that we're looking forward to getting to know better over the next two months.
-Val
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