Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch

April 3, 2008 – Greetings from Namche Bazaar!

The last two days have taken us from the bustling city of Kathmandu, by bush plane to Lukla, an overnight in Phakding, and finally to Namche Bazaar.  The steep rocky trails lead through deep valleys carved out over the millenia by a multitude of glaciers and past small rural mountain villages.  The trail followed along the Dudh Kosi river and we traversed across the river via a half dozen wire cable bridges, suspended hundreds of feet above the gorge's floor.  Our guides and team members from Berg Adventures are top-notch in all aspects of our experience thusfar.

So far we have ascended from Lukla (9,180 ft.) via Phakding (8,500 ft.) to Namche (11,200 ft.).  True to past form, Team Elder statesman Todd Paul Miller has suffered from a minor case of altitude sickness with a variety of symptoms such as dyslexia, irritable bowels, and fatigue.  He is already well on his way to a full recovery. 

Highlights thus far:

• Landing in Lukla, one of the world's highest airports, on a banked runway that appeared to be way too short.
• Celebration of Jos' 39th birthday (for the seventh time) in Phakding.  Many thanks to all that sent her the wonderful and creative birthday cards and our local Berg guides and cooks for making the night so special.
• Battling the 2000-foot ascent up famous Namche Hill this afternoon, while glimpsing two 22,000' peaks: Thamserku & Khumbila

Yeti Watch 2008:

Our hunt for the fabled and elusive mountain creature of the Himal has begun.  Thus far no sighting but two local Namche citizens reportedly heard what sounded like a drowning yak coming from the hillside in the night.  More updates to come...