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Adventurous Season in Nepal Begins!
Our first Everest Base Camp Trek of the season is underway! We’ve got quite a few great trips lined up in Nepal this year. With four scheduled Everest Base Camp Treks, two Island Peak climbs, a Khumbu Icefall expedition and an Everest View Trek, which is great for trekkers with limited vacation time. Gaspar Navarrete, a favorite Ecuadorian guide, will be joining forces with guide Deana Zabaldo later this month for an Everest Base Camp Trek, followed by an Island Peak climb with a father-son team. We are all very excited about the great treks ahead of us! Check out the adventures of the current EBC trip, as both Deana and climber Chris Underhill sent us a great update of the trip so far!
29 March 2011
Mani stone.
A journey doesn’t always begin as expected. During orientation in Kathmandu, we went around the room with introductions. I am always impressed by how many people say they have spent 10, 20, 30 years dreaming of a trip to Everest Base Camp. Now here we all were together, thirteen clients and myself, full of adventure, anticipation…in hiking boots and warm gear…ready for the trail! We were ready to fly, sitting in the shoddy domestic airport since 5am waiting for a flight to Lukla, gateway to the Everest region. No flights were leaving though. The Khumbu winter has been unusually late in departing this year, and Lukla – one of the most dangerous (and exciting!) airstrips in the world – has been covered in clouds off and on for the past few weeks. No trail for us that day. Travel anywhere, but especially travel in Nepal, requires a healthy dose of flexibility.
We waited all day in the airport to no avail. The rain and clouds in Lukla did not abate. I juggled itinerary plans, last-minute hotel rooms, and flight rescheduling, and we all returned to the comfort of the famous Yak and Yeti hotel for an extra night in Kathmandu. One of Nepal’s most common phrases is “Kay garnay?”. Literally “what can you do?”, it’s so ubiquitous because there’s always some reason to say it here! Weather in Lukla is terrible, again? What can you do? You wander out to explore the temples and shops of the city, and hang on to your optimism for tomorrow.
The next day we were lucky. Our staff pulled strings to get us on the very first flight of the morning, so we were at the airport at 5am, luggage piled up on the scale, checking the weather reports for Lukla. Fate was smiling on us, and the weather cleared. We soared over mountains, circled around twice for staggering Himalayan panoramas, and dropped in to the short Lukla airstrip before 8am. We easily made up the lost afternoon and were right back on track for our trek. Lucky, indeed. Nepal is an unpredictable place, which is part of what keeps it interesting!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=d94e41a0da34fb8de1c30ce37947e55e 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=28cb97f24523654c066a923399d042fd 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=4df50909b841fa823d644ce01e992935 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=c4c8c7a3bfb0a3b6b9b4d8a6a426de28 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=f203695c1eb44ec2be5e4110018c38b4 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=7c5aeb2f4ff98ec9c7eea2fcf0937016 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=1df0488ded2f588fe32148f567ac0ca2 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jDaIIhS8rRk%2FTZyd5_N3BCI%2FAAAAAAAABaQ%2FP1FaZmJYIDc%2Fs320%2Febc%2BluklaDSCN0740.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=6946ca7aa8e776c972e7f64974265ae8 240w)
Interesting landscape on hike from Lukla. Deana Zabaldo photo
31 March 2011
Today, we arrived in Tengboche and went to visit the area’s largest monastery. Ornately painted in colorful pink, orange, yellow, green, and blue, the prayer hall is filled with images of the Buddha, chanting monks, and a thin veil of incense. When the deep tones of afternoon prayers had ceased, we were ushered into the private quarters for the monastery’s head lama. In Kathmandu, we bought prayer flags to string at Base Camp and at Scott Fischer’s memorial, but the flags must first be blessed. The lama chants and throws handfuls of rice in his small wood-paneled room as we sit on carpeted benches and squeeze against enormous copper bowls.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=023d8af3f660d229ebf26f29c4d8d430 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=1fcf695e07c0d7682c5bc033a102a878 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=9b11769b2da812595e788e493175756b 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=80e8e9c84822f6fb6e7e512980a981fd 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=19801bd6916a6958e162c7b3ef51961d 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=3c22229ee88a2be2f1cb23d8432bc01c 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=6e37a62205ff9c8b90df12995254fa26 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LBVLiII2c6s%2FTZyd1JN8IzI%2FAAAAAAAABaI%2FO9k_pMwPToc%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2BscttIMG_0881.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=5dfa9c6e43ece558639421902ec1742b 320w)
Scott Fischer Memorial. Mark Ryman photo
When the rites are complete, he blesses each of us on our journey with a thin red thread to tie around our necks and silky white blessing scarves around our shoulders. We duck our heads through the gate, step back out into the meadow of Tengboche, and head off to our warm teahouse, ready to head further up the Khumbu valley in the morning.
Dingboche, Saturday April 2nd
From Chris Underhill, Phoenix, AZ:
It is difficult to refrain from saying, “Look!”, “Look at that!” as you pass yet another OMG moment, as the scenic views you have only experienced on YouTube or Google, appear before your very eyes. This is only at 14,000 ft. Imagine the delights on approaching base camp – our (and many others’) ultimate destination. Mountain Madness has ensured our safety, “guaranteed” (well almost) incredible morning weather for hiking and photography, and orchestrated a group of Sherpas, porters, cooks and yaks that take care of our every need.
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Although this is a teahouse trek, we bring along our own cook staff and serve-up in the comforts of the lodges, ensuring the best possible food and hygiene. Deana Zabaldo photo
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=1ac31f74a84d818ca929c52b6f370e66 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=18e41616d9ba7f25da5dc50c530ddae8 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=6d682fe90efad9864f9fe47cba6f06ce 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=5065d5a0608ad5ef36903d8918290f33 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=11ec2da2578c8d8231a21721dc8f8faa 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=a3bc65980beac72ae0270358ef8ce6ee 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=8b2fcb687d37e09ed1eedd88fe1ae4d1 320w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jnqOsV-yYms%2FTZyd3oAFlvI%2FAAAAAAAABaM%2Fojr3ntvjDgI%2Fs320%2Febc%2Bblog%2ByakDSCN4438.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=40984a4622c4bde2ca72aba1e1bd449c 320w)
Step aside! Deana Zablado photo
Imagine: breakfast is served, and then as we struggle for oxygen up the trail, the kitchen staff pass us enmasse and we find the kitchen set up at our next stop, lunch awaiting us… Though sometimes we encounter a yak-train, and guess who gets the right of way on the trails? Stay tuned for more…