Blog Entry 9 - Success

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Blog Entry 9

Today the Madison Nepal Group (and two Aussies) ascended to Gokyo Ri.

We were up a 4:30, and at 5:00 we turned on our headlamps and trekked into the darkness.

For the next 2.5 hours we climbed slowly but steadily up the trail to Gokyo Ri. Now when we say "trail" we mean that in the loosest sense. When considering a "trail" high in the Himalaya forget everything you think you know about hiking trails and instead envision a narrow snow covered goat path (or in this case yak path) that goes nearly straight up 2,000 feet, with nary a switchback. IT WAS TOUGH!

About 6:00 the sun began to rise, creating an eerie backdrop to our ascent ... coal black mountains framed in early morning light.

By 7:30 we reached our goal ... the ridge line of Gokyo Ri at 17,575 feet.

Special recognition goes to Jeff who improbably completed the climb before his morning coffee.

It was a beautiful sunny morning and we could see forever.

We saw four of the five highest mountains in the world, and five mountains over 8,000 meters (26,247 feet). For the record there are only 14 peaks over 8,000 meters and we could see five of them ... absolutely amazing.

The real treat was ... of course ... Everest. When you see it up close its big .... REALLY BIG. Nothing quite prepares you for the scale.

After taking hundreds of photos we began our climb back down to Gokyo. The climb down was trickier than you would think. It was steep and slippery, but we made it back for a big breakfast ... and Jeff finally got his coffee.

To show our good luck ... about the time we returned to Gokyo the clouds rolled in and it started to snow.

Tomorrow we begin our trek down.

Sleeping Rooms in Tea Houses and Security ... We were all pleasantly surprised by our accommodations on this trip. We are staying in simple two person sleeping rooms that resemble small dorm rooms. In Namche Baazar we had en suite bathrooms, but otherwise our simple rooms have contained two single beds, a table and a desk chair. We share this with you so you will truly understand how ingenious Karen's security plan is for her valuables. If you are a burglar please stop reading now, lest you discover Karen's secret. Karen of course locks her door, but as an extra level of protection, she hides her valuables under her pillow.

More tomorrow.

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Comments

[Len Nikolai]

Way to go!
So excited for you & glad you made it. What are the chances of going to Everest from there? :-( Len

[Rebecca Schield]

It sounds awesome!
Who is taking care of Jim throughout this adventure?

[Madison Nepal Group]

Who Is Taking Care Of Jim?
It takes a village Rebecca ... a very big village

[Karen]

Thanks
Thanks much for the great update!!☺️

[Lucy Bodilly]

For this you are missing the Pack?
Ok, so you are a different kind of Packer. You all continue to amaze me. You also raise my status greatly in this little town. When somebody complains, I smile wisely and say "I know it must be hard. But my cousin is climbing Mount Everest. You see, it is all a matter of perception." I am so excited for you all. You are a great inspiration. I'm sure you know the Packers have won two in a row, while the Seahawks lost twice. Warms the heart, though I dare not mention it to anybody here. Keep one foot in front of the other, cuz.