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Getting
There
London -
Kathmandu
29 March - 30
March
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After getting
in some last minute 'training' at Heathrow we set of for Kathmandu.
Economy seats are not made for us 6ft3 fella's - so there was some
blatant abuse of the team doctors sleeping tablets. PS. Gulf Air has
rubbish movies.....!! |
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Day 1
Lukla -
Monjo
31 March
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The steepest
approach angle by any aircraft I have ever seen - amazing! Petrified
American tourists....ha ha. Some very enthusiastic hiking on the first
day. I get my first blister....not a good sign! |
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Day 2
Monjo -
Namche Bezaar
1 April
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Some
picturesque hiking through the lower valleys ending in a serious hill up
to the trading village of Namche Bezaar. PowerGel sachets save the day! |
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Day 3
Namche
Bezaar
2 April
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Acclimatization day in Namche. Set out on a short
training walk but got lost and went 3/4 of the way to the next days
village....but had a marvelous steak sandwich on route! |
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Day 4
Namche
Bezaar - Tingboche
3 April
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Retraced yesterday 'training' hike...then down into the
valley AGAIN. The hike up to the monastry village of Tengboche is a
nightmare! Could have done with 10 PowerBar sachets |
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Day 5
Tingboche -
Dingboche
4 April
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A long tough day making our way out of the valleys and up
into the hills. Still in good form e.g. opting to walk over rusty old
bridges instead of the shiny new metal one recently erected....muppets! |
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Day 6
Dingboche
5 April
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Another acclimatization day. Starting to feel pretty
rough - the sleeping champion is coming to the for! No training walks
today - just sleeping and reading and getting soundly beaten at cards!
Grumpy... |
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Day 7
Dingboche -
Lobuche
6 April
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Not feeling chipper at all heading out for Lobuche. A big
snowfall the previous night has drastically changed the scenery - really
feels like we are hiking at altitude. Blisters are an absolute
nightmare. |
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Day 8
Lobuche -
Gorak Shep
7 April
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After a night in our super flash tea-house ($15 a night
each!) we headed off into the snow for Gorak Shep. We both felt
absolutely wrecked but the fact that we got to use our gators was some
consolation! |
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Day 9
Gorak Shep
- summit Kala Pattar
8 April
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A big day...climb to the highest point in the trip. Awoke
to awesome weather and a super tough climb to the summit. Absolutely
incredible views from the top. Ladies - please email me requests for the
full size pics! |
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Day 10
Gorak Shep
- Base Camp
9 April
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The worst day of the trip for me - totally spent with no
energy and suffering bad headaches. Base camp is a harsh inhospitable
place, but is majestic at the same time. Dan wins Nobel Peace Prize for
putting up with my lack of co-ordination whilst erecting the tent! |
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Day 11
Base Camp -
Pingboche
10 April
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After a tough night of ice breaking, claustrophobia,
smells, and freezing cold we rather happily decide its time to go down
:-) The increasing in energy is phenomenal, but a long way down to go -
and no the blisters have not healed! |
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Day 12
Pingboche -
Namche Bezaar
11 April
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Tingboche was a welcome lunch break on this long day (6
hours). Today saw a burst of energy from the big man that was
unprecedented. American and German trekkers never stood a chance! |
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Day 13
Namche
Bezaar - Lukla
12 April
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Thank **** its over (another 6hr day). We totally forgot
how far we hiked in the first 2 days, let alone that we went down hill
for the first 2 hours. A turn in the weather ensured it was tough going
right until the last. |
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White
Water Rafting
Bohte Kosi
River
17/18 April
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A welcome break from 18 kg packs and hiking boots. Some
pretty tame rafting due to low rivers but great to get away and have
someone else do all the organising. |
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Kathmandu
Hotel and
city
Various
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Some pictures of our flash hotel and and the sights of
Kathmandu. It is a manic place that is very focused on the trekker and
tourist, however the people are extremely friendly (will almost give you
the shirt off their backs!). |
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