Today we made it to Everest Base Camp, elevation 17,335ft. It took about 2-3 hours from Gorek Shep over glacial moraine on quite rocky terrain, but worth every step. The Kumbu icefall was spectacular, spilling out from the pass between Lola peak and Nuptse peak right to the foot of base camp, where it merged with all the colorful tents of the many climbing expeditions.  We heard and saw multiple rock and ice falls which seemed to last minutes echoing off the cliff walls which surrounded us. When we arrived at the official Everest Base Camp entrance, we were met with hot lemon tea and cookies, which definitely hit the spot. Ang Dawa Sherpa lead us to the Everest ER, where we were given a friendly welcome from Dr. Luann Freer and Dr. Steve Halverson, both from Montana.  They showed us around the ER and then we all sat down in the Peak Promotion tent for a lunch which included fresh cucumbers and orange slices(yum)!  Right after lunch we saw a rescue helicopter land to fly someone who had been sick for a while to Kathmandu. It is amazing they are able to land a helicopter there, they didn’t even turn the engine off….just loaded her up and took off. We then said goodbye to everyone and started back to Lobuche.  Jasmina hiked up to Kallapatar today, and then we met up with her in Gorek Shep and from there all headed down together to Lobuche. I will admit it felt great to go downhill. Tomorrow we are heading to Chhukung where we plan to stay two nights and do some training before heading to Island Peak base camp.  Thanks again to the Everest ER doctors and Peak Promotion for making us feel right at home.

Marcie, Stacee, Lexi, Jasmina

Read Full Story: 20th April, 2010- From Everest Base Camp

What a wonderful day!  We had a bit of snow last night, leaving clear blue skies today….a perfect backdrop for gawking at Nuptse, Pumori, Everest, Lhola, AmaDablam and all the other Himalayan mountains I’m trying to remember the names of.  We’re peeking over at Everest Base Camp (“the EBC”) from our tea house at Gorakshep.  We gained elevation gradually from Lobuche then crossed a huge glacial moraine at the junction of three glaciers, stumbling over great views of Pumori and Nuptse all the way here.  We watched the moon rise over Lhola peak as we followed the Khumbu glacier.  After a light lunch in Gorakshep, Stacee, Marcie, and I walked “Bistare Bistare” (very slowly) up to Kalapathar, the “Black Rock” at the base of Pumori.  We peaked at 18,445’, mouths agape, looking out toward Everest and all the way down the Khumbu toward AmaDablam.  Tomorrow, we plan to visit Everest ER at the EBC and also a reputable bakery…???  I think there might even be a Starbucks up there, if we’re lucky.  Hope you are all well and remember: Bistare, Bistare!

-Lexi, Marcie, Stacee, & Jasmina

Read Full Story: 18th April, 2010- Lobuche

Started off our morning saying good bye to Vicki.  The trail started off in a flat river bed.  We then stopped for an early lunch, before the grunt up hill.  Made it to the Everest Memorial, where they memorialize climbers who have died on Everest.  No worse for the wear, we made it to Lobuche.  It took us about 5 hours to go approximately 2.5 miles. Whew!  Now at 16,269 feet.  We then took a short rest and then took about a half mile walk UP.  The views were great of the Khumbu Glaciers.  Definitely a change in the scenery and weather.  Starting to spit snow across the barren landscapes.  Have been enjoying trees  and flowers.  Now harsh in contrast.  Tomorrow we will go to Gorakshep.  If weather is cloudy will go on to Everest base camp.  If weather is clear, will see view from Kalapathar.  We are all still feeling well.  However, do see an occasional person being  “assisted” down.  Feeling thankful and lucky to have such great Sherpa guides.

Stacee, Marcie, Lexi, Jasmina

Read Full Story: 18th April, 2010- Lobuche

This morning we woke up enveloped in clouds. It was the first morning that was not clear, but it gave a very surreal feeling. We had our usual breakfast at the tea house and then hit the trail. We went on an acclimatization hike to Nakarsung dada which is a “hill” reaching 16,400 ft. For the first few hours we were in the clouds and then we rose above the clouds and saw a glimpse of the mountains. The views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains were spectacular….we even saw Island peak for the first time!  We hiked like turtles in molasses, but eventually made it to the summit and managed to “stay within ourselves”(don’t worry Dr. Rich!). It took us 4 hours to get to the top and only 40 minutes to get down…..that gives you an idea of the effects the altitude has on our ability to hike uphill. We all still feel strong, other than an occasional headache.  After returning from the hike and drinking some ginger tea, we went to a lecture that the Himalayan Rescue Association put on to educate trekkers/climbers about mountain sickness. We sat inside a sun room….which despite the name was FREEZING and learned some new things about high altitude medicine as we listened the rain on the roof.   We checked our O2 saturations…right around 90%….not too bad!  We just finished a wonderful dinner of dhal bhat, momos, garlic soup, french fries, rice and ginger tea.  Vicky will depart tomorrow after breakfast to head home and return to work. It has been fun having her along this far and we hope she has a wonderful safe trip home. Tomorrow we head to Lobuche to gain some more elevation and get closer to Everest base camp. Thanks for following our adventure and stay tuned!

Marcie, Stacee, Lexi, Jasmina and Vicky

Source: 17th April, 2010- Nakarsung top

Namaste from all of us at Pheriche!  We all just enjoyed big plates of Dalbaht (lentils w/ rice) and are involved in a heated card game.  Our Sherpas, Ang Dawa and Ang Karma picked-up the rules fast and are winning most of the rounds now.  We had another beautiful hike along the river up to Pheriche.   We were treated to a tour of the Pangboche Monestary this morning.  It is a very old Monestary ( 600+ yrs old) and considered a very spiritual place.    After hiking today, Stacee is now nicknamed “beautiful meat” and I am “the boob”….don’t know how those might stick..??  Vicky will travel with us tomorrow as we take a day hike and then she will head back down….returning to work.  We have been lucky to have her fun spirit in our company and she will be missed.  Jasmina is planning to continue up with us to Everest Base Camp and then to Island Peak.  We are all still feeling very well and laughing a lot!  What a fun group!  We are thankful for the hot showers here in Pheriche and will be staying here tomorrow night also to acclimatize.  We wish you all the best and ask for your support (prayers to God, Buddha, Shiva, Allah, or whoever else..) in our coming journeys.

Lexi, Stacee, Marcie, Vicky, and Jasmina

Source: 16th April, 2010- Pheriche