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Title image - BAI takes you to: Everest Basecamp
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Wilderness Medicine Conference at Everest Base Camp Dispatch

October 9, 2009 – Ama Dablam and Everest Have Appeared

I am calling you from a very special place, the Tengboche monastery. We woke this morning in our lodge in the village of Khumjung which is located directly across from the Hillary school. The first of several Hilary schools which serve the Sherpa people.

Mt. Everest (left) Ama Dablam (right) seen from Tengboche

Mt. Everest (left) Ama Dablam (right) seen from Tengboche

Outside our windows as we woke up one by one, in the early morning light we saw a spectacular sight before us. The probing, beautiful and striking profile of Ama Dablam! I talked about monsoon perhaps not being quite over and the rainy weather we have had, in fact we have had no views of the peaks until today. Eric, Luanne and I were reassuring the group, but we were all awaiting that moment when we would look up and see the amazing peaks before us, which was this morning.

Yesterday in the rainy conditions, we ascended 300 metres vertical from Namche Bazar to the village of Khunde. We stopped to visit a remarkable man, Dr. Kami Sherpa at the Khunde Hospital, which was founded by Sir Edmond Hilary and the Hilary trust since 1966. This hospital provides healthcare for the Sherpa people in the Khumbu.

Dr. Kami Sherpa described to us that he and his staff service a community of over 7000 Sherpa’s and migrant Nepalese workers who come through this area. It was a fascinating discussion to talk with this man about health care in the valley and the programs he runs for the Sherpa people. He told us that approximately 60% of child births are in the home and 40% at the hospital. His education to the local people is a huge part of why the home births are very successful and why infant mortality is so low in Khumbu now.

On of the examining rooms in the Khunde Hospital

On of the examining rooms in the Khunde Hospital

It was interesting for me as we walked through Dr. Kami`s clinic to watch the groups eyes light up and how they would get very excited in certain parts of the hospital. The pharmacy, which has an expressive supply of appropriate drugs and supplies stored in cardboard boxes; the delivery room; Jim who is a pathologist, immediately sat down in front of the microscope when we walk into the lab. A great day at the Khunde Hospital.

After the hospital we moved over to our lodge. In the afternoon we did our class on fractures which was conducted by both Luanne and Eric. This was a special class because we held it in one of the classrooms of the Hilary school. We felt very honoured to have the opportunity to hold a class in these walls, a very special time for everyone.

We also visited the Khumjung monastery and saw the famous Yeti scull.

It has taken us most of the day to walk here to the Tengboche Monastery. Eric just walked by me with a big thumbs up. We arrived about 12:30pm and saw another mountain today,`` Chomolungma `` also known as Mount Everest! Today I am reminded that this is the anniversary of my first summit of Mt. Everest - October 09, 1992! Even for me, having seen Everest many times in my life, it is still an amazing peak and especially for those who are seeing it for the first time!

Our first views of Mount Everest!

The village of Khunde above Khumjung

The village of Khunde above Khumjung

Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery