October 10th – Moraine of the Khumbu Glacier above Dughla

This is Wally Berg from the Moraine of the Khumbu Glacier; we are definitely approaching Everest Base Camp now.

Above the small village of Dughla, we paused briefly where for years chorten [small stone monuments] have been erected as a memorial for Sherpas who have been lost on Everest and now for others as well. The names of many famous climbers may be found here, and we took a moment to remember them.

Today it is much more beautiful and clear than yesterday, we were thrilled when we stepped out of our lodge in Pheriche to see Towuche, Cholatse, Kantega and Ama Dablam.

Now the mist and the clouds are closing around the chorten here above Dughla but I can still see Ama Dablam .We are going to move up the glacier and stop at Lobuche tonight (15,800 feet)

We enjoyed sharing lunch with 2 of the medical students that I mentioned: Emmy, from the University of North Carolina and Joanne.

The study that I mentioned, Amelie and Mark are part of this; Dafna, of course - the athlete and the purist isn’t into drugs of any sort - placebos or any kind of test drugs. Steve’s physician back in Iowa put him in so many drugs for altitude before he came that he’s been disqualified. We certainly enjoy contact with all the medical students who are involved with the HRA program this year; let’s see how the study goes as we continue higher. Everyone is healthy and strong and we are feeling the altitude as we trek up the glacier.

I will report to you tomorrow as we move closer to Gorak Shep and base camp.