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Title image - BAI takes you to: Everest Basecamp
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Alessio’s Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch

October 3, 2014 – Everest Base Camp, We Made it!

Today’s Episode of the Grizzled Mountain Man and his trusty sidekick Sweaty Mess starts with a safety moment. We have decided to go back to the standard “Don’t fall off” as it is still important! In the last dispatch, we finished the climb to Kala Patar in a snow storm and this storm continued for most of the night. This means the trail this morning was somewhat snow covered. As the trail (like most of the trails here) do not have guard rails, it was even more important to not fall off the edge with the additional snow.

The second safety moment is also one that we have previously discussed, if you are going to go adventuring, ensure you have the properly trained guides. Story to follow below.

Today was the BIG day!!!! We set off this morning in the newly fallen snow on the trails to Everest Base Camp. The trail started with a little bit of Canadian Flats (see definition from last dispatch) then quickly moved to Nepali Flat (see definition from last dispatch). Once we trudged (see definition from yesterday’s dispatch) through the Nepali Flat we progress ONTO the Khumbu Glacier. The terrain resembled something you would find on the moon; with the exception there was snow and ice.

We were able to navigate around some of the crevices and glacier runoff to make it to the base camp site. It was the most difficult terrain that we have faced yet due to the ice, loose rocks, big rocks, ridges and thin air. See photos.

Our hike towards base camp – started with the Canadian flats

Our hike towards base camp – started with the Canadian flats

Quickly moved to the Nepali Hills

Quickly moved to the Nepali Hills

A break before reaching base camp

A break before reaching base camp

Moon like terrain

Moon like terrain

The good news is WE MADE IT!!!!! (Not that I am sure anyone had any doubt)!

The Grizzled Mountain Man ensured he brought the Family “Alessio’s Adventures” Flag for the appropriate photos. He also brought along two Kearl toques to ensure there was also the appropriate photos, as this is his retirement gift. Once this photo was completed, the Grizzled Mountain Man presented the hats to our guides as thank you for taking such good care of us.

Arriving at base camp

Arriving at base camp

Father and daughter at base camp

Father and daughter at base camp

We made it to Everest Base camp

We made it to Everest Base camp

We continued pasted the main Base Camp for about a kilometer on the glacier so that we would have the ability to see the ice fall closer up. It was a great experience, followed by a snack and hot tea (on the glacier, we are spoiled).

The pictures included do not even come close to the scenery that is here. It was just awe inspiring especially considering we were standing at 5300 meters or more!

Everest on the background

Everest on the background

The famous Khumbu Icefall

The famous Khumbu Icefall

As we were making our way back to Gorak Shep on the Glacier we met a guy from the US lost. He was by himself, with no guide. He happily followed us out. As our party proceeded off the glacier, we met another group of people, WITH a guide. This guide was not sure of the route to base camp and how to navigate the glacial formations. Both of these incidents, once again bring about the safety moment, if you are going to go adventuring, ensure you higher trained and knowledgeable guides.

While this has been a great experience, we are very excited to be heading down the valley tomorrow where there will be more oxygen!

Returning to a snowing Gorak Shep almost in the dark

Returning to a snowing Gorak Shep almost in the dark

Stay tuned for our next episode,

The Grizzled Mountain Man and his trusty sidekick Sweaty Mess