http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/EverestBaseCamp/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from EverestBaseCamp en-us Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:07:27 +0000 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:07:27 +0000 HiJust thought I'd make a quick announcement to let you know about my latest incarnation as the GreenFestivalMan. This year Irsquom trying to live on a reduced carbon diet by following ten selfdesigned green festival tips and do my part to Stop Climate Chaos.The Greener Festival GuideWe can stop climate chaos Together we are irresistible together we count. Sign the I Count PetitionI've al http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Somerset/blog-170802.html Just to let you know that I've now managed to complete the missing parts of my previous entries. Last nights celebratory meal was good. Though the moral questions whether it is right to buy a bottle of wine which costs most half a month's wages here for most people is a good one. The food is still repeating on me now.I woke up the other morning and listening to some music I had brought along. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Kathmandu/blog-106574.html This morning we took off from Lukla and returned to the heady but welcome chaos of Kathmandu. I'm recharged ... Bacon and eggs for brekkieWashed ... hot shower ahhhhand ready to roll.I woke up this morning at 4.20 and realised that it was all just about finished. The highs have been extremely high and the lows extremely low. The was no middleground to ponder. A true rollercoaster life experie http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Kathmandu/blog-106285.html Well I'm on the road again and fighting fit I walked today. Kento my horse stayed at the lodge just in case he was needed again. But today I felt good enough to make the 4 hour walk to Lukla. Yesterday I even made it out into Namche Market for a little shopping. It was a bit disturbing to see I humn cranium for sale though. I dread to think what the story behind tat was.The lowlands here http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Lukla/blog-106052.html Yesterday morning at 0510 I came down with a severe bout of sickness and Diarroha. So bad that as soon as I had made it down the hill Rolfe and Dave had to hire a horse to take me through the passes to Namche. Not having eaten properly since base camp I was weak and the illness made me dehydrated. Last night Dave The Doc put me on an IV in my cold bare lodge room in Namche. Nail in the wa http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Namche/blog-105741.html I woke up a few times last night. It was the first time in my life I had felt claustrophobic. Our rooms were small and dark with 9x9 skylights. Felt scared by this window and wondered what my Grandad felt in his Japanese Prisoner War Camp managed some sleep.The morning was very cold put on my balaclava and goretex coat.When we arrived at Gorak Shep I already felt dizzy and sick. We were co http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Gorak-Shep/blog-105350.html Entry completed 28 Nov 2006 There were no fleas in Lobuche thank god. Only rats.The group anticipates Base Camp tomorrow. It is obvious from everyoness face that people are worried. I feel ok and optimistic despite the 12 hour day ahead of me. We have been breifed that we will head out at 6am. Lobouche is very cold. The cloud is coming up the valley bringing with it the damp.A few of us http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Gorak-Shep/blog-105345.html Entry completed 28 Nov 2006We trekking up to around 4900m today. So much for the rest.I was pleased that my knee held out and my breathing has improved. There are still members of the group which permanently feel out of breath.A number of people continue theirown risky quests and gain no respect from the rest of the group. To run of these mountains even for a short time show symptoms of http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Dingboche/blog-105344.html We started out this morning travelling along frosty bitten paths in the shadow of Everest.Everest shows itself intermittently as we travel towards our goal of Base Camp. The trail is quieter now and sherpas and yaks are fewer.Last night Rolfe group leader and accomplished mountaineer told us the heart rendering story of a sherpa which encapsulates their spirt. One Sherpa who got to the end of http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Tengboche/blog-105340.html Turns out there is now a internet station in Tengboche.We've just arrived.It was a steep climb but again I was using my tried and tested small steps. I'm in no rush I feel good and am in good health keeping up my water regime when others are slipping. I'm a bit of a stickler for keeping to my own set of rules We arrived in cloud cover. A few flakes of snow. Just when we were wondering whe http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Tengboche/blog-103851.html I'm not at Namche Bazaar after a exhuasting climb of Namche Hill. The air up here is thinner and its amazing how easy you get out of breath.Today is the last opportunity I'll get to write here until I return on my way back. Tomorrow we head out on our path to Everest.This morning we got another sneak peak of our goal. Everest 's 'hat' which stuck out on the skyline proud and wise. The winds u http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Namche/blog-103545.html After a gruelling delayed journey we arrived in Kathmandu at 4.30am. Picture the scene...Dark empty streets. People taking a few vegetables to market. Wild dogs sifting through dark corners looking for scraps. People huddled over small fires. People selling scrap metal in small piles. It was desolute and shadowy with people exchanging curious glances at us. Far from anything I have ever ex http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Kathmandu/Thamel/blog-102698.html Today I depart for Heathrow for Kathmandu. This last year and a half of my life has been crazy. Frantically training fundraising for WaterAid writing for Oxfam sponsoring Moris in Kenya and campaigning on environmental issues which indirectly increase poverty.Ironic that the pinnacle of this challenge is to climb to Base Camp as in a way it feels like I've been climbing all year.If anything http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/Heathrow-Airport/blog-101668.html Well only a few weeks left now until I make my way to Nepal via Doha in Qatar and then on up to Everest Base Camp.My training has been steadily building up over the last few months to the pinacle that is the 8 hour walks I'm now having to fit in.On the 24th Octobr 2006 I started my first 8 hour walk. Walk walk walk is my life at the moment. That circuit training and the exercises my physio has http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Dorset/Swanage/blog-97814.html This weekend we walked the last consecutive 8 hours walks I needed to do before my trip up Everest begins. Saturday We walked from Chandlers Ford to Wincherster St Catherines Hill and back again via Compton.Sunday We walked in the New Forest. Minstead to Acres down under the A31 to Linwood The Red Shoot pub then back. Saw a stag which was really cool. Amazing and a good opportunity t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Hampshire/Southampton/blog-99127.html It doesn't seem real...That pretty much somes up the mood of the moment really. My training is nearly complete as is my list of kit. Thanks to Helen for getting me my last few odds and ends.Apparently Gikgo Biloba is an alternative remedy to Alitude sickness who would have guessed.Feel reasonably confident in all my kit now as well and I've even started growing a beard to kee my face warm http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/blog-101420.html