Alessio’s Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch
October 6, 2014 – Pangboche to Namche
Today’s episode of the Grizzled Mountain Man and his trusty sidekick Sweaty Mess begins with a safety moment. Today’s safety moment is a slight variation on the general safety theme of “Don’t Fall Off”. Today, we will choose to focus instead on “Don’t Fall”.
As we are proceeding down a large number of steep hills with gravel, sand and rocks it is very important to focus on your footing to ensure you do not fall. See the Tengboche Hill Trail photo to understand how steep the trail actually is. It should be mentioned that the Grizzled Mountain Man needs reminding of this safety moment as he may have taking a slight fall (but saved his camera).
Upon arriving at Pangboche two days ago, we were very excited (as previously mentioned) for a hot shower and Yak steak. What we did not mention is the fabulous freshly made Apple Pie for dessert.
Congratulatory homemade apple pie in Pangboche
While we were resting and showering, our tiredness guide just happened to whip up a fresh pie as a special treat. In addition to the fabulous dinner, the Grizzled Mountain Man had his first Everest Brand Beer. It tasted pretty damn good.
Rich tried his first Everest beer
Leaving the next morning, the lodge owner presented us with the traditional White Scarves as a good luck parting gift.
As we were departing Pangboche we received a Tibetan Buddhist khata scarf for good luck. The Khata symbolises purity and compassion and is usually made of silk or silk like material.
Yesterday we made the trek from Pangboche to Namche. This was a 12 KM trip and we came down 600M in elevation. After some Nepali Hills, we made it to the Tengboche. We stopped for a few photos of the monastery and views.
Leaving Pangboche on the way to Tengboche
Rich and Bonnie at the Tengboche Monastery
View of Tengboche
The Tengboche Hill trail
On the hill down from Tengboche (the one where the Grizzled Mountain Man may have slipped) we happen to run in to the Berg management team. It is interesting that after multiple phone calls and emails, we happen to meet them half way around the world. It was great to meet the team and chat about our trips. Our assessment is that while they do not have a Grizzled Mountain Man, they may have an Experience Mountain Man and they seemed to also have a Sweaty Mess. They can be now their own comic book duo.
Rich and Bonnie meet Berg management team on the Tengboche hill
Upon arrival in Namche, (after wonderful hot showers), the Sweaty Mess was able to convince the kitchen staff to make a gluten free pizza. Served with red wine. Life is wonderful.
A gluten free pizza with wine in Namche. Priceless!
Today is a rest day in Namche. This means that after Vacation Coffee, we climbed up a few stairs to the Everest Look Out for one last view of the great mountain. Then we proceed through a few museums on local history and culture. The Grizzle Mountain Man is now considered “Cultured”.
The last view of Everest from the Namche look out
Tomorrow, we will proceed down the Namche Hill (with today’s safety moment in mind) to the Namche Bridges. See Pic.
We have spent a lot of time discussing the scenery and trails in our previous dispatches. We have not really discussed life on the trail.
A typical day includes 4 to 6 hours of trekking, but then there is a lot of down time. We have managed to spend a large amount of time resting while reading books and playing crib. We have taught one of our guides Jetta how to play. He has even won a couple of rounds. This has been a great source of entertainment.
Playing cards with the guides
Looking forward to a few more days of trekking. We have three more nights till we make it back to Kathmandu.
Tomorrow – The Namche Hill bridge
Till Next time,
The Grizzled Mountain Man and his trusty sidekick Sweaty Mess