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- Nov 18, 2010
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Everest Base Camp Trek Underway
Mountain Madness Everest Base Camp Trek is well on its way! After climbing to the top of the Monkey Temple for views of the city, watching the funeral rituals at Pashupatinath, sitting beneath the eyes of the Buddha at peaceful Bouddhanath Stupa, and meandering through monasteries, we packed up and headed for the mountains! A few days in chaotic Kathmandu, fascinating though it is, makes me long for the fresh breeze and quiet jangling of yak bells that we find on the trail.
Our flight into Lukla is always a thrill, but even more so this trip! The weather was extremely clear and we had sweeping views of the Himalayas before sliding into the airstrip. These Nepali pilots are accustomed to flying several flights a day into Lukla, and they navigate the looming mountains with professional ease. We sped in for a fast landing, the uphill runway immediately slowing us down. Stepping out onto the tarmac in the cool wind of morning, everyone was elated with the views, the village, and the start of our adventure!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=d04cc016269a993ee47213cd46af3db0 165w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=897c9d98094f62babecf967769256551 165w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=7f52469152ac4087876882a8a9f9b6c5 165w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=3d7d6f71670c9a0d5089c69448e10cfb 165w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=bcef7f2f0a5f09a2f0795c34badb715c 165w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=fd9d982e8f486ef42b6ce9098bfa7eb8 165w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=635138b707d19b1c67159971b1609ede 165w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny8VZ4vUI%2FAAAAAAAAAgA%2FLogUPhJL0MA%2Fs320%2FBuddha%2BHead2.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=085e94a241a0815379c2bd5bbc1321ff 165w)
In Nepal, however, everything starts with tea. So we made our way over to a sunny courtyard and sat down to enjoy tea, while our sherpas and portering team assembled our bags into even loads. After introductions, we all set off for a few hours of hiking along the Dudh Kosi, or Milk River, and a night in Phakding.
The following day we began to see waterfalls and snowy peaks, even as we hiked through forest and small villages. Crossing the Hillary suspension bridge high above the river, we made a steep climb for the rest of the afternoon until we arrived in Namche Bazaar. An old trading town, it’s now filled with lodges, shops, and bakeries. Our whole group hiked strongly and is looking good!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=743cfc80d3eeb0e6fe0ecde30a7ab67c 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=b3976d36a1a59e171ba1576288eee9b8 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=fe8b20e28f87347aa08090990dbf5056 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=dc223cb6e56459ddaeb3af553e36c80a 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=4881d6ff4565a2cd9efbe499a0c59afc 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=748dc4971fc67d854aaff6f994a62aff 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=ffe9a38fdf8583322a3ffe77f4eaf982 240w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_JN7DyNvD1ow%2FStny2f01PrI%2FAAAAAAAAAf4%2F9GfKfFr2euQ%2Fs320%2Fmanttra.jpg.JPG?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b757053c38efbb961d18e7b5f159c0e4 240w)
Our group continues to be amazed by the magical and mystical scenery, constantly surprised that every turn is a more beautiful panorama than the last. This morning’s acclimatization hike brought us to the famous Everest View Hotel. Aptly named, we could see a long way up the valley that we will trek through and staring us in the face were Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Taboche. Stunning!
We’ve also been getting to know each other and our Nepali staff, from the 6‑time Everest Summiter to the Everest Marathon runner, from the Sherpa studying to be a Buddhist monk to the local village boy saving money for his family. We have a great group? Americans, Brazilians, and Nepali staff, and we’re climbing higher tomorrow!
~ Deana Zabaldo, Team Leader