Rest Day in Deboche

The latest RMI dispatch from Mark Tucker…

April 2, 2010
12,533 ft.

Namaste,

Good Friday to one and all.

A beautiful sunny rest day here in Deboche with just a bit of wind. The team has been doing some short hikes to near by ridges and the Tengboche Monastery. Views of Everest show its not the day to be on top with winds creating a plume off the summit that streches for miles.

Tomorrow we move up from 12,300′ to Pheriche at just over 14,000′. Which in this part of the world means good by to trees. By the time we get to basecamp not even a bush will be present. I look forward to eight weeks from now when we return to this beautiful forest, but can’t wait to get to the base of the Khumbu Icefall and spend time on the glacier.

Wishing you a Happy Easter!

Mark Tucker

Ah Internet!

Deboche

RMI is sending out dispatches which most of you know since they are linked to my web site so you are getting a double dose of updates. The guides have to rotate writing them. Last night was Chad’s turn. After dinner he trudged back up the hill to another tea house which has a new cyber cafe. It all sounds so high tech. And indeed it really is. Yesterday from Namche I had the joy of being able to skype with Christopher in Doha complete with live video….it was awesome! I was chatting away and laughing as I told everyone in the cafe “that’s my son!”

But as we ascend and the villages get more remote, the air thinner and technology a little more primitive dispatching will be less. It is a funny feeling to have to wean ourselves and lose that connection to home. I never do it well.

I have decided I am the matriarch of the group, now that’s something I never expected to be labeled, or at least not yet. But I am the oldest and in a few weeks will be the only woman on the team. Casey’s girlfriend is trekking to base camp with us, thank goodness! Not a day passes that I am not grateful for her being here. So I am slowly working on this role especially during a rousing card game of Texas poker I remind them of my stature. The guys are unimpressed and so I am treated as if one of them.

We arrived in Tengboche after ascending the infamous Tengboche hill, a long arduous climb that takes a good hour and a half of dusty ascent. At the top is the highest monastery in the world and…a bakery. Imagine this visage complete with apple strudel and chocolate cake. Many of us just had to sample that cake although we were warned of others getting ill in the past. Six of us disregarded this and happily consumed. Now we are on a vigal and watch each other for signs of food contamination. Extremely common here in the valley since sanitation, refrigeration and electricity don’t exist. No federal guidelines for food preparation. I am still leery of eating anything with the word steak or meat in it.

The scenery is breathtaking, Everest has been clear and prominent in the distance although menacing as the winds pummel her top. And we trek on enjoying the journey. We will spend another night here in Deboche- tomorrow we move higher to Peroche and I understand the prospect of a shower for Easter Sunday. I think that sounds better than a chocolate bunny don’t you? Our slow progress is intentional, spending a day resting at a new altitude before moving higher. This has been our agenda since leaving Lukla and will continue for the next week. This way we gain strength, give our bodies an opportunity to get accustom to the thinner air and recharge before moving and living even higher.

Happy Easter to all.

One of our team members is taking great photos thank goodness someone is technology savvy! Here is the link:
To view Rob Suero’s photos go to:

Picasaweb.google.com/robsuero/201003240606mteverestnepalexpedition#

Wendy
Climb On!

Arrive in Deboche

April 1, 2010
12,533 ft.

Today we awoke to a blue bird sky and prepared for another day of trekking. After three nights at Namche Bazar (11,300 ft.), the team was feeling good and it was time to continue on towards Basecamp. As we hiked above Namche and wrapped around the hill side, the major peaks came into view. With the clear skies, we had magnificent views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. The hiking was great and I was amazed at how well maintained the trails were. We passed many locals working on breaking rocks and stacking them into place, creating the feeling of cobblestone streets in many places. As we continued on the trail we eventually dropped down into the valley floor where we stopped and had lunch in Phungi Thanga (10,662 ft.) which Dave Hahn jovially refers to as “Funky Town”! After yet another gluttonous meal in the sunshine watching yaks, porters and trekkers go by, we decided it was time for us to continue on as well. After a river crossing on a swinging wooded style bridge, we slowly made our way uphill to Tengboche where the Tengboche Monastery is located. After resting and drinking Fanta’s, Coke and water (with some making a quick dash to the local bakery for chocolate cake!), we hiked a short distance downhill thru a Rhododendron forest to arrive in Deboche (12,533 ft.). Now in Deboche, we are staying at the Ama Dablam Garden Lodge where we will spend two nights. Once again, things have gone smoothly and everyone is having a good time and staying in good health.

Chad Peele