Nepal – Day 9 – As Crazy As It Sounds, I Love This Challenge

We left Dingboche this morning for the last stop before Everest Base Camp. The first part of today’s trek was some “mild” ups and downs, but a general climb to 15,000′. As we approached the lunch stop, we had to descent back down to the river that was running strong and full of boulders. When we got there, a very small wooden bridge spanned a small area. Our guide said it was good enough for yak trains, so just get across fast. I don’t think that bridge would pass any building or structure standards, so is the adventure of trekking in Nepal. At that point, we stopped for an early lunch and to let the legs rest before a push upwards on a steep and rocky climb to almost 16,000′.

Once we got there, there were a bunch of markers and shrines in memorial to climbers of Mt. Everest that had lost their life on that attempt. It was a very sobering reminder of just how dangerous mountaineering is, especially on the world’s highest peak. I do not know if anything is worth that risk.

While at the memorial area, we met a Sherpa porter that was coming down from Mt. Everest, he said he has summitted it 10 times and is looking forward to next year. He also said one climber in his party was killed after summitting and coming down. The climber was in a helicopter zone and while it was landing, he backed out of the way and fell in a crevice. He said he cried for the climber.

After the memorial area, it was just a slog to Long she, our home for one night. We are staying at the Oxygen Restaurant and Home. It is fairly nice and so far warmer in here than outside. Wi-Fi is down, so again this post will be delayed.

Have you noticed that as I get more tired, my posts get shorter? I apologize for that, but there that is something about conserving energy, even coming up with things to talk about is a struggle.

I am one day from Everest Base Camp. We were told today that all climbers had summitted Mt. Everest and the climbing season was closing down. We should start seeing more climbers, guides and porters moving down.

I am challenged, I love the challenge and miss my family and friends. Keep praying for me!!!!

Isaiah 41:3 (did I use this twice)

continue to day 10