April 29 - Thukla to Chukkung

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Simonne. 

Today is the best day!!!  I wake up without a headache, and it stays that way all day....plus I have enough energy to be walking at my usual pace.  Yippppeeeee!!!!

I'm down for breakfast at 0630, a cheese and veggie omelette and we are off for Chukkung.  It's off the beaten track, not as busy, and mostly it's people who are climbing Island Peak that come here, just like we did back in 2008. 

Dhane's prediction is 2 1/2 hours to Dingboche then another 2 1/2 hours to Chukkung.  We made it in 3 1/2 hours, including a coffee and visit in Dingboche!  My energy is back to normal, I can carry a pack, no longer nauseated and the headache is gone.  It's possible that I've finally acclimatized!  Sure took long enough, but then I didn't have any rest days at all. 

I just checked my O2 saturation....76%, and my heart rate is 97 and I feel great!  I can only imagine what it was at the top of Kalapathar yesterday when I was feeling so miserable.

We arrived in Chukkung and Dhane showed me where there was warm water and a bucket.....laundry day!!!  Yipppeeeee.   The last laundry day I had it was with cold water, and no place to dry the few clothes that I washed, so I ended up wearing them partly damp.....but here warm water and a clothes line.  Such luxury! 

Sorry about the lack of pictures, but they don't seem to want to load.   Once I'm back in true wifi I'll try again.  The plan for tomorrow is to go up Chukkung Ri then make it as far as we can....goal is Pangboche but we will see.

Elevation Chukkung: 4,730m (15,518 ft)

April 28 - Kalapathar - Thukla

We woke up early and left the lodge at 0600 to head up Kalapathar.  It's a cold and windy morning, and I'm so glad that Dhane has loaned me his gloves.  He said he had a spare pair, but he actually meant that he had pockets!  The first part up is quite a steep sandy trail, that eventually flattens out, and just when you think you're at the summit, the true summit shows itself.....and I'm only half way up.  The second half of the trail is rocky that turns into large boulders that can be a bit tricky to negotiate.  Eventually we are at the top....and it's time for some photos of one of the best views of Mt. Everest from the Nepal side.  The sun has come out, but there is still a cold wind. 

We head down for some breakfast, and my headache only seems to get worse.  A fried egg on white toast and s few cups of tea, and It's time to head to Thukla, which is at the base of the Everest memorials at the end of the glacier. 

The terrain is so barren.  Towering above us are these spectacular mountains clad in white against the dark blue sky, but the ground is dirt and sand and rocks.  Nothing grows here.  The trails are narrow and rocky, difficult to negotiate especially when coming across porters, because they always get the right of way....an unwritten rule. We get to Lobuche and I decide I need a soup and tea, even though it's only one more hour to the lodge where we are spending the nights.  A short stop and we are off again.  I'm going so slowly, and counting every step to encourage myself.  At the top of the hill I send Dhane ahead to get out of the cold.  He goes but then stops to make sure that I don't need any gloves or another jacket!  Always taking such good care of me.  By the time I get down he has a room ready, and has enjoyed a cup of coffee with a friend.  I quickly pull out my sleeping bag and crawl in and before long I'm fast asleep.  Dhane wakes me up for my dinner order but food and eating are the last thing on my mind. I order garlic soup and fried noodles.  By the time I finish my soup the headache is gone but so is my appetite so all I can do is look at the noodles.  It's an early night, but a good one. 


Elevation Kalapathar: 5,643m (18, 514 ft)
Elevation Thukla: 4,799m (15,745 ft)

April 27 - Lobuche to Gorak Shep - Base Camp - Gorak Shep

Lobuche to Gorak Shep to drop off our packs, then off to basecamp and back to Gorak Shep. 

Woke up this morning without a headache!!!!  Yeah.  

Off to Gorak Shep.  It took just over 2 hours when I was told it would take 3....so that's good.  The trail is a bit challenging.  Sometimes small gravelly rocks that are slippery other times it's huge boulders that need to be navigated, challenging with lots of people on the trail.  Keeping to my pace I was able to pass most groups we came upon.  After a quick lunch in Gorak Shep off we were to base camp taking about 2 hours which was expected.  The heat is really wearing me down and the headache is back.  Slow going over large boulders.  We arrived at the IMG camp and ran into Dawa....he had a pack of tea, biscuits and chocolate and was planning on meeting us in Gorak Shep!!!!  Perfect timing.  We went into their tent and visited for a wile, drinking the tea and eating the biscuits.  I caught him up on the news of Canada and he updated me on how things are going on Everest.  He is saying this might be his last year as he's now 59, but he might go one more year.  He says he's slowing down, but still much faster than his client!  His son, who also has a client, did a load carry to camp 2 today.  5 hrs round trip with two tanks of oxygen weighing 15kg.  At my best I made it from basecamp to the top of the icefall in 5 hours....without a load, 2/3 of the one way distance!  Dawa is very proud of his son. 

After pictures we headed back....we thought 1 hour return, Dawa's son predicted 1 hr 20 min....but it actually took almost 2 hours.   Ughhhh!!!!  So slow....I should have broken into the Cadbury chocolate bar that Dawa gave us.  

It will be an early night tonight.  The plan for tomorrow is Kalapathar first thing in the morning then head down.  Not sure exactly where but we will find a spot.  

Once I leave Gorak Shep I'll be out of service for a few days. 

We plan on going to Dingboche April 28 then Chukkung and Chukkung ri which means ridge on April 29.  Then I'm not quite sure.
 

Gorak Shep Elevation: 5,164m (16,942 ft)

Base camp Elevation:5,364m (17,598 ft)

April 26 - Pheriche to Lobuche

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TED!!!!!  Which I was there to celebrate with you.

After a chocolate pancake for breakfast we headed off to Lobuche.  Cool in the morning, and any standing water is frozen.  We are now walking in the valley, with giants all around us.  We are now well above tree line, but I did see some beautiful little purple flowers peaking out under the rocks, for protection I'm guessing.

I was prepared for a 5 hour walk to Lobuche and was pleasantly surprised when it only took 3 1/2.  Yipppeeeee......less time under the hot sun.   Although we are walking in the valley, now we are crossing the moraines....more up and down.  Maybe Mike or Howie or Domhnall or anyone else can pipe in and explaine moraines.  The path is rocky and dusty.

When we arrived at the Everest memorials it was a bit emotional for me....but not long after we arrived, 10 mountain bikers arrived from base camp direction.  I told Dhane that I wanted to wait and see how the navigated the steep downhill we hand just climbed up.  Huge boulders in the path.  Well after 30 min two headed down on their bikes....the others carried them.  I have no idea how far they rode....but it may very well be a film at the Banff Film Festival this year or next.  Look for it!!!!

Dhane suggested a short hike which I reluctantly agreed to.  I'm feeling so tired, with a massive headache, but I got ready and off we went.

On our return I to of another half tab of diamox, tried to drink a bit and laid down for a nap.  If things don't improve then I might spend tomorrow here too.

Dinner was fun, met up with Nate that I met in Namche a few days ago, and Jenny and Nigel who have cycled unaided from Alaska to the top of South America.  They did it in stages, and it was 20 years ago....but impressive non the less.  They are trekking here on their own, no protect so carrying everything themselves.  Impressive.

After dinner, with lots of tea and the visiting the headache disappeared and stayed away!!!!  Yippeeeee.

The lodging in Lobuche is much more basic - and the food offering is simple.  I had Dal Bhat again tonight - but unlike a few days ago, there wasn't any carrots or any other vegetables.  Just the Dal - lentil soup and Bhat - rice.  Hot sauce adds a nice flavour.

I will be finding my bed early tonight as tomorrow is a big day.

Lobuche Elevation 4,940 m (16,207 ft)

April 25 - Rest Day in Pheriche

I woke up with quite a headache. Lots of reasons....altitude, lack of water I gave my water away to the sick girl yesterday, and partly due to the sun and wind.  I'm trying to stay covered up but it isn't easy.  

So for our rest day we went for a little hike, or so I thought.  3 hours and 800 meters later I finally said enough.   We were still about 30-45 min to the top, but I had enough.  So much for a rest day!  

Visiting a higher elevation and returning to rest helps with acclimatization.  Kind of putting your body on notice that you are still going higher and to keep that red blood cell production in high gear.

Tonight the the lodge is full, 30 clients plus guides and porters.  Quite a change from last night when we had the place to ourselves. I moved from the Everest Room to the Kantega room which is another special mountain to me.  

We had great views of Ama Dablam and Makalu.  

Ama Dablam which is know as one of the most beautiful peaks in the Himalayas.  From Wikipedia: Ama Dablam means "Mother's necklace"; the long ridges on each side like the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child, and the hanging glacier thought of as the dablam, the traditional double-pendant containing pictures of the gods, worn by Sherpa women.

Another good day.  I headed to bed early to deal with the headache.  

Tomorrow Lobuche, then Gorak Shep - Basecamp - back to Gorak Shep.  And then....we will see how I feel. 

April 24 - Phortse to Pheriche

Hello everyone, and yes you've read that right.  I'm in Pheriche tonight.  We woke up to another beautiful day, and after taking pictures of Dawa's tea house it was time to say good bye to Yangzeen.  

Since I was so tired yesterday, we didn't know how far we would get today.  Our first objective was Pangboche which is where I received the blessing from Llama Geshi when I went to climb Everest.  It was a special ceremony, but now Llama Geshi has passed on.  The town is very special, it doesn't the have a big monastery like Tengboche but it's special.  That only took us 2 1/2 hours so we continued on to a very small town called Somare where we had lunch.  I had momos again.....my favourite.  These are little dumplings that are sometimes round, sometimes crescent shaped.  They are fried then steamed and are served with hot sauce.  Very similar to dumplings that we can get in Canada.  Very tasty and its a change from Dal Bhat.

When we were getting ready to head out to our real objective of Pheriche we noticed a young porter almost carrying in a young woman.  She had been with a large group of 15, and had just come down from Dingboche....about 90 minutes walk if you're walking normally, but she wasn't.  She had gotten sick yesterday, long before reaching Dingboche, but her guide told her to keep on going despite the fact that she had a headache, was vomiting, and needed to be helped to walk.  Last night she was worse so the guide instructed the young inexperienced porter to bring her down.  She made it as far as where we were when she couldn't go any farther.  She only speaks Chinese so communication was difficult.  The porter was instructed to bring her down, but she couldn't walk.

So I sprang into action...I gave her Dexamethasone 4mg, Diamox 250 mg and Maxeran 10 mg.  After 30 min she had perked up a bit but still couldn't walk.  I didn't want to give her any more Dex until I knew that there would be a helicopter rescue.  It took over three hours to get confirmation.  I so hate being on the ground waiting for the helicopter....I much prefer it the other way!!!!  Well we had to get her to walk about 20 min to where the helicopter would land.  I gave her another 8mg of Dex and away we went.  Still ataxic, but with a strong man on either side she made it.  Now to wait for the helicopter.  We still had another hour to walk to Pheriche and it was getting late, so we left her there.  About 30 min later we watched the helicopter land.  I was so happy to see that, as she will be taken directly to Kathmandu. 

I'm so upset with their company, their guide and her friends.  Without the Dex I don't think she would have been able to walk up to where the helicopter could land.  Without my guide who kept insisting and pushing the young porter to keep calling for the rescue, I don't think she would have survived the night.  A tough situation with a happy ending. 

Because we arrived late in Pheriche it wasn't easy to find a room.  We checked at 5 different lodges until we found this one.  Tucked in the back....all the rooms are named after mountains and guess what....they gave me the Everest room!!!!  Hahaha.  A nice quiet little lodge.  I went to the shower room....only cold water available and washed up, washed my hair and a few clothes.  Now I'm heading down for dinner and to warm up a bit.  Then an early night.  New plan is Lobuche tomorrow, Gorak Shep the next day and then base camp on April 27.

Thanks for following along!

Pheriche 4,371m (14,340 ft)

Rush hour traffic jam in Namche

We had to wait for the traffic to clear before we could move on!!!😂


Namche Bazaar is the largest town in the Khumbu, with many hotels, restaurants and shops its the perfect place to spend an extra day to acclimatize on the hike to Everest basecamp.  The town is built into the surrounding hillside and a semi-circular pattern.  At the base of the town is a large payer wheel that is turned by the force of the river. 

April 23 - Namche Bazaar to Phortse

We woke up to blue skies today, I was a little worried with all the rain last evening and night.  I was cold enough last night to wear my down jacket until I went to bed and also this morning, but as soon as we started trekking I was down to one shirt and my vest.

Today was a difficult day for me....unsure exactly why since I felt so good yesterday.  I kept waking up during the night, and finally gave up at 0300.   I also started off quite fast as there were many groups out and I hate walking behind groups...so I would speed up to pass and then not really slow down as there was another group I had to pass.  Finally Dhane took my pack away on the very long uphill, and despite my attempts would not return it to me!!!

If you look carefully, in the middle of the picture, the small triangle shaped mountain just peaking out is Everest.  My first view this trip.  I was so glad it was clear enough for this view.  

It was supposed to be a short trek today from Namche Bazaar to Phortse - the home of Dawa and Yanzeen.  Phortse is off the beaten track a bit - it's not on the usual path to Everest base camp so there aren't as many trekkers on the trail.  The trail continues upwards from Namche for about three hours then we drop down into the valley to cross the river - Dudh Kosi which is fed from the melting glaciers of the high mountains.  After this is the long uphill all the way to the town of Phortse.  Since it is off the main trekking route to Everest base camp, it more resembles an authentic Sherpa village.  There are a few lodges here, but not any shops selling the usual chocolate bars, Pringles, bottled water like we see in the towns lining the path to Everest. Many of the high altitude sherpas - the ones that go to the summit with clients are from the farming town of Phortse, others are from Kumjung just above Namche Bazaar and Pangboche.

When we arrived in Phortse  I noticed that the women were outside tending to the animals and the crops since most of the men are on Everest.  It must be lonely for them, and hard too as the men are gone March to set up base camp for the climbers, and April and May to climb.  They are left to look after the homes, the children, the animals and the crops.  Not an easy life that's for sure, but it does afford them more money than they would otherwise have.

Located in Phortse is the Khumbu Climbing Center (KCC) which provides Sherpas with top-notch mountaineering training. Their teachers are some of the world's most famous climbers—Conrad Anker, Pete Athans, Jon Krakauer, Jimmy Chin, Renan Ozturk, and Cory Richards. Since its first course of 34 students in 2003, more than 700 Sherpas have attended—and 26 are now qualified to teach.  Dawa is now an assistant instructor.  This school is fantastic because although the Sherpa strength cannot be matched, they lacked the knowledge of how to do technical climbing.  How to fix ropes, with appropriate back ups and how to make decisions on the mountain.  With this school more Nepalese are getting to the level of western guides.  They practice with ice climbing in the local area in the winter so that they can apply those skills on Everest and other mountains in the spring.

Not long after we arrived in Phortse Yangzeen called Dawa, and were able to have a conversation.  He has just retuned to base camp from camp two.  He is feeling strong, and his client is doing very well also.  We are now thinking of going directly to base camp, targeting April 27, so that I can hopefully meet up with Dawa.  And then maybe returning via Cho La and Goyko.  We will see how things go....if the acclimatization continues to go well, or if I need an extra rest day.

We are staying in the lodge tonight.....Yangzeen is taking good care of us.

5.7 km
3950M

April 22 - Monjo to Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar

It was such a long day yesterday, I had been awake for over 24 hours, partly due to the time change and partly due to the night drive to Ramechamp.  We were along the mountain the whole way, so it was curve after curve that turned into switchbacks!  No opportunity for sleep.  I did offer to drive is Mr Sonam got tired but he didn't take me up on it!!!!  Thankfully.  I provided some fruit for us to munch on and he kept us safe.  It's quite an art getting us there safely, on roads barely wide enough for one truck, but meeting one in a corner....well Mr Sonam used the brakes almost constantly.  And passing someone....well that was pure magic!  Similar to trekking, we are along the mountain side, we descend to the river, cross it on some type of a bridge then head back up.  Although yesterday's trek was ninety percent downhill we crossed many rivers yesterday.....up and down.  All flights were delayed yesterday, so I ended up standing in the sun for almost 5 hours before we took off.  I made a few friends, but mostly people were anxious....would we be able to fly or not.  Once it looked like we would fly.....mayhem ensued!!  Hopefully everyone got out.

I did not take many pictures yesterday...I just wanted to get to Monjo so that Yangzeen wouldn't be worried, little did I know she showed up one day early as she had mixed up the day....and called Dawa at base camp who told her she had the wrong day!  I also had a bit of a disagreement with my porter/guide....imagine that!!!  He wanted to carry more of my stuff, I gave him about 3 kg which lightened my pack to about 7 kg.  It was an early night for me...after visiting and some fries I got into bed at 1730.

After a breakfast the three of us headed for Namche together.  Breakfast was Tsampa, a porridge made of roasted barley and wheat flour that has salty Tibetan butter tea stirred in to make the right consistency.  It is not sweetened, and not really cooked like oatmeal, but it is a good and filling breakfast.  Just outside of Monjo I passed through the gates to the Sagamartha park and will have to show my trekking permit and pay a small fee to enter the park.  After passing a few small buildings over the next few kilometers and some farm land where barley is growing we started up the long hill that leads to Namche Bazaar.  Part way up the hill when the weather is clear, this is where trekkers get their first view of Everest. 

The first time I had this view was in 2008 when I was trekking, and I thought it was impressive, but when I saw it in 2010 when I was climbing, I thought to myself - what have done?  Today was the first time that there wasn't a view.....too cloudy.  

Today was such an awesome day, I felt so good and we travelled fast.  Partly due to the fact that Yangzeen carried my bag and I carried hers.  I lost the argument....she's much stronger than I am!  So much for the solo hike that I was so looking forward to, but it's nice having her company.  She speaks as much English as I do Nepalese but we are managing to communicate.  She ran into many friends on the trek today, and she spent some of the time singing.  Good entertainment.  We made it to Namche in 3 1/2 hours, and we stopped in at friends to have some tea which took about 30 min.  They were friends are of guide/porter.  After a lunch we headed up to Everest view hotel, a luxury hotel $200 USD a night, and clients arrive there by helicopter from Kathmandu directly to the hotel!  Luxury for sure, and each of the 12 rooms has a view of Everest.  It was clear this morning so they had a great view.  

It only took us 2 1/2 hours to get to the hotel and back.  Never have I done as much all in the same day.  And I'm still feeling good.  I am a bit tired now, but soon is dinner time then sleep.  The plan for tomorrow is Phortse.  

Elevation Namch 3445m

Distance 8 km

Elevation Everest View hotel 3880m.  

Distance unknown but it's a very steep uphill.  



April 21 - Trek to Monjo

The flight from Hong Kong tonight was cancelled and that means I am forced to make arrangements with the hotel here to make sure my bike gets delivered once it arrives.  I have no choice but to leave for my flight to Lukla.  It is a bit of a leap of faith but I am sure all will turn out well.  It’s a good thing I had a bit of time before the bike trip starts to deal with logistical issues like this.

Speaking of logistics, After a long night of travelling to Ramechamp I arrived in the early morning to find hundreds of people around the airport and cloudy conditions.  As the day warmed a little the sky cleared.  Most of the people waiting are locals looking for a standby flight, so with my fully paid ticket I did manage to get on the first morning flight into Lukla.  I was feeling a little tired, but I had a full day of hiking to get to Monjo.  I'm sure glad that I had a little nap yesterday afternoon.  I hired a nice porter to help carry my belongings while trekking.  This is something that I have struggled with, should I or shouldn't I hire a porter.  I could have carried all my belongings myself, but I do believe in providing an employment opportunity here, and it is not very expensive from our point of view.

I hiked to Monjo and met up with Yanzeen Doma Sherpa, Dawa's wife.  Dawa is already at Everest basecamp - preparing for his 12th summit as a climbing sherpa!  Dawa met up with me at camp 2 when I came down from the summit in 2010, walked with me the last bit into camp.  He's an amazing man and having the opportunity to hike with his wife is very special.  We will likely only hike a few days together, but it will be fun.  This is a photo of Yanzeen and Dawa that I took in 2010.

The trek to Monjo is fairly flat, and the path is lined with rhododendrons.  I made it to the Top Hill Lodge as planned before any threat of the typical afternoon rain!

Yanzeen on my left and the Top Hill lodge owner on my right in Monjo.

Time for bed.

Top hill lodge - Monjo
Distance - 16 km
Elevation 2804m

April 20 - Kathmandu to Ramechamp

Happy Birthday Lorraine!!!

Today I collected my flight tickets to Lukla and then I wandered around Thamel - which is the tourist area of Kathmandu.  This is where most foreigners find hotels, shops and restaurants. I'm staying right on the edge of Thamel and once I ventured far enough I found familiar shops and restaurants.

I will not have any time for sight seeing today - just enough time to make arrangements for the flight tomorrow and to wander the shops close to the hotel before I have an early dinner and try to get a bit of an afternoon nap.  My bike should be arriving on the 8pm flight from Hong Kong.  I'll have to get it back to my hotel then prepare for the journey to Ramechamp.

I will only have a few hours of sleep tonight as I will be leaving at 0300 to catch my flight.  The Nepalese government made the decision to close down the Kathmandu airport from 10pm until 08am in order to repair the runways.  This started April 1st 2019 and I'm not sure when it will be completed.  All the flights to Lukla take place before 0800 due to the weather conditions in the mountains.  The Nepalese government has been heavily criticized for this decision - closing down the airport at a time when all the climbers and many tourists are flying into Lukla to start their trek to Everest base camp.  It's easy to be critical - but in reality I don't think that they had many options.  If they delay too long - then the monsoons will make the work more challenging, and then it's winter.  They only have a short window to repair the damage done by the earthquake in April 2015, and this is what they have chosen. 

I have options to get to Lukla - I can take a helicopter - at a cost of $300-$600 each way or I can travel to a neighboring airport at the town of Ramechamp.  It is 135 km away, and travel time is 5-6 hours each way.  There are very limited accommodations at Ramechamp so most are planning on leaving Kathmandu at 0300, travel through the night on rough roads and arrived in time to fly to Lukla.  It will be another sleepless night, but as I said yesterday, I'll sleep in Monjo, the first stop in my trek to base camp.  

April 19 - Kathmandu

Arriving in Kathmandu is always exciting - because it's the beginning of a new adventure.  After filling out the paperwork for my Visa I line up to pay the $100 fee and receive the stamp in my passport.  I'm always amazed to see this happening.  All foreigners go through this process, and it continues to be done manually.  There doesn't seem to be any accounting or recording of how much money is collected, and all the money is stuffed into a drawer without any lock on it. 

I'm picked up from the airport and delivered to my hotel but my bike didn't make it.  It will be arriving in the flight tonight.  It's dark outside - there aren't any street lights, and through the open window there is the smell of burning garbage.  It's still warm outside - 25C and despite the long flight and lack of sleep - there's time for a cool beer before sleep.

The hotel where I'm staying is new and beautiful, much nicer than I'm used to.  Wifi has also improved greatly since he last time I was here.

April 18 In Transit

I'm sitting in the Vancouver airport, waiting for my flight to Hong Kong which is delayed a bit and so excited to be on my way.  It's always at this point that I look back on the training and wish that i had done just a little bit more!!!!  Oh well, that's what the trek to Everest base camp is for, not only to help me acclimatize but it will be trekking 8-24km per day so that should get me fit and ready to cycle!

Thanks to everyone for their encouraging words and texts the past few days and so many last night, sorry that I couldn't respond properly but they are all appreciated.

The adventure has begun, and with only 3 hours sleep last night as I left too many things for the last day, 4 hrs the night before as I was working, it doesn't look like I will be getting much more until
I reach Monjo on April 21.  So glad that I'm a shift worker and used to this😀.
In 24 hours I will be in Kathmandu and will update from there.
Thanks for following 

April 16

Preparations are under way.  My bike is getting packed up today along with all the gear I might need for the trip such as spare tire tubes, brake pads, spokes and chain links.  All of this is foreign to me as I am not really a cyclist and although I took a beginner's bike mechanic course I have my fingers crossed that my bike holds up and doesn't really need much work on it.  I plan on getting a mirror installed on my bike - not because I'm anticipating any traffic but so that I can see what the view is from the other direction.



 

Heading off to Nepal and Tibet

Hello Everyone, it’s time for another adventure.  After such a long and cold winter my thoughts turn to the mountains. This time it’s a new adventure - a cycling trip on the Tibetan plateau where I will view Everest from the North Side. I’m so excited about seeing Everest from this view as I will get to see the entire mountain. When viewing Everest from the south side – the Nepalese side, there are several tall mountains in front, so we only see just the very tip peeking out. From basecamp – Everest isn’t even visible at all, we have to climb part way up mountains across the valley to be able to see the peak. When viewing Everest from the Tibetan Plateau, there aren’t any mountains in front therefore we can see the entire mountain, and I just can’t wait for this view. I’ve seen many pictures, and I’ve even seen it on the IMAX screen – but nothing will compare to seeing it in person.

The adventure starts on April 18 when I fly to Kathmandu. After a day to arrange my permits I will fly into Lukla and hike into Everest basecamp on the south side – this will be my 4th time there. I’m using it as a way to acclimatize for the cycling trip, and also to spend a bit of time on my own. I’ve always wanted to do a solo trip – and this is just a small step towards that. The cycling trip starts back in Kathmandu on May 5th, and I will be home on June 1st. I will be carrying the SPOT once again so that I can be tracked – and the batteries shouldn’t freeze this time!!! Those of you who followed me on my Everest expedition understand – my batteries froze when I reached the balcony on my summit push, and there were many very worried friends and family. It didn’t help that I forgot to call on the satellite phone from the summit ….oooops! So follow along on my blog. I’m not sure how many photos I will be able to post but I will do my best.  There will not be much if any internet while in Tibet, but I will do my best to keep everyone updated as I can.