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Title image - BAI takes you to: Everest Basecamp
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Leo Power Everest Marathon Dispatch

May 14, 2011 – Leo Power Turns Fifty in Kathmandu

Leo arrived in Kathmandu just before midnight on May 13th. He was greeted at the airport by Rupa from the Berg Adventures staff team in Kathmandu.

Leo turned 50 years old in Kathmandu today.  He has already made new friends here.

Leo turned 50 years old in Kathmandu today.

He has already made new friends here.

At the breakfast buffet at the Yak and Yeti Hotel, Leo met up with Wally Berg, who he had not seen since last August when they were in Tanzania climbing Kilimanjaro and doing Wildlife Safari with the Keg Spirit Foundation.

It did not take us long to get out on the street in order to begin to get to know Kathmandu.

For a guy from Newfoundland who is just turning 50 today, the sights, sounds, mystery and confusion of the mythical city of Kathmandu are exciting. Leo embraced all the strange new scenes with his usual relaxed smile and his sense of wonder and appreciation. Wally remembered how excited Leo was wondering around on the glaciers in the Crater of Kilimanjaro seven months ago. He seemed no less in awe today in Kathmandu.

Leo will be leaving for his trek on the 16th. His journey up the fabled Khumbu valley, homeland of the Sherpa people, will lead him to the slopes of Mount Everest. On May 29th Leo will run his first marathon, the Tensing – Hillary Everest Marathon, on the continent of Asia. This will put Leo at “4 down, 3 to go” on his quest to run a marathon on every continent. After this, Leo will still need to run marathons in South America, Australia and Antarctica.

For the time being this adventure is off to a great start: after we walked through Kathmandu’s medieval Durbar Square we wandered narrow streets until we reached the trekking district of Thamel. We enjoyed cold Everest beers and great pizza at Thamel’s legendary “Fire and Ice” Italian restaurant.

Stay tuned as Leo and his Berg Adventures Sherpa staff trek the trail to Everest Base Camp where Leo will begin his marathon on May 29th.

Leo with the welcome sign at Yak and Yeti Hotel

Leo with the welcome sign at Yak and Yeti Hotel

Leo on the street in Kathmandu

Leo on the street in Kathmandu

In the morning, we went on a walking tour of old Kathmandu, Durbar Square.

In the morning, we went on a walking tour of old Kathmandu, Durbar Square.

5.	 As we arrived smoke and flames announced prayers and offerings being made.

5. As we arrived smoke and flames announced prayers and offerings being made.

Rice was thrown on the flames as people sang and chanted.

Rice was thrown on the flames as people sang and chanted.

We were surrounded by mythic Hindu gods.

We were surrounded by mythic Hindu gods.

Leo found time to visit Kathmandu’s North Face store, however.  He wanted to pick up a few last minute items for his trek.

Leo found time to visit Kathmandu’s North Face store, however. He wanted to pick up a few last minute items for his trek.