Jamie Clarke’s Expedition Hanesbrands Everest Dispatch

April 7, 2010 – A Successful Clarke Family Trek

The Clarke Family trek that has started off Jamie's climbing season on Everest was a tremendous success. Jaela and Khobe were more than just "at home" in the Khumbu. They thrived, and their energy was amazing. They were right at home as they worked in the kitchen with Yangzing at the lodge in Pangboche, peeling potatoes, taking orders and bringing food to the trekkers who passed through.

On the morning of April 7th, our sherpa pilot and friend, Pemba, the same pilot who flew the helicopter for Hanesbrands on the Pumori trek and climb last year, flew in to a field behind Temba's house and took Barbara and the kids down to Lukla. It was an emotional time as Barbara, Khobe and Jaela said goodbye to Jamie and all their sherpa friends. We had to move quickly to get the helicopter loaded so there wasn't a lot of time for lingering goodbyes. Khobe rode up front as "co-pilot" with Pemba for the ride down the valley to Lukla.