Nepal 2011.

April 6th ~ 17th, 2011 Life on the trail.

After landing in Lukla we made our way over to a tea house to have some tea. What else right? We met the two porters that would be carrying out gear bags as well. And with that, about 10:30a.m. we headed out to our first stop which would be Phakding wich is actually about 1,000' lower than Lukla. This really would be the only time we would lose altitude as opposed to gaining it!
It didn't take long for my admiration of the Nepali people and their work ethic along with the incredible amount of weight they ferry up the trail. Keeping in mind that this trail gets a lot of wear and tear with both human and Yak traffic.

Start of the Trek...
In this picture is our group. Nils from Denmark, Yuta from Japan, yours truly and Bis, our guide.










First of many bridges that we would cross. All had prayer flags attached to them but these were as sturdy as they got. Swiss engineering if I recall reading right.









First stop Phakding...
We arrived here early afternoon and though it was all downhill and easy I took a nap upon arrival. I think altitude and jet lag may have contributed to it. This is pretty much the type of lodging we would be staying at. Simple and cool. As in cold that is as there is no heat other than a wood burning stove in the middle of the dinning area that usually was not lit up till around about 6~7 p.m. They all had bottle water (and beer!) as well for purchase. Of course, this was the cheapest of them all as the higher one went the more expensive it would be as again, it's all hauled up there on somebody's back. Meals were simple and I kept it that way. Eggs and toast first thing followed by fried rice and or potatoes for dinner. One thing we take for "granted" any time any of us usually stay at a hotel or what have you is toilet paper. Well, this was not the case in Nepal. Seems the stuff is more precious than gold! paper that is, as napkins were hard to come by as well. T.p. could be bought at the tea houses though. However, if I knew the quality or lack there of of the stuff I would have brought my own. Never a mention of this in my Lonely Planet book...

View from my room window! every morning would be the same with blue and white backgrounds.

Next up, Namche Bazar. this was a very, very steep trail once we crossed over (how many times would it be?) then it went straight up! This was a very brutal section of the trail...





Trail to Namche. Beat up and straight up!!












Life on the trail for the other half. If you've ever lifted (or attempted) a sheet of plywood you know how heavy they are. Well, take a good look as this porter and the one in front are carrying between 5~7!! logic, if there is one, is that the more one carries the more they make. Ever since I've been home and am out running and start to feel "tired" I think back to these folks I saw along the trail and ask myself what I'm "tired" about which puts my runs into perspective.




Namche Bazar. Located at around 11,200 feet is where we would spend the day and next getting acclimated. Namche is by far the largest of the villages and a major trading and market place as well. And of course the gift shops to boot. We would end up here on the way up and down and would experience an earthquake on our return trip. Thank God nothing major as if you took a good look as how things are built...

The following day we took a hike up to the Everest View hotel. This one obviously caters to those with a few bucks as they are helicoptered in and of course, offers a view of what else...Everest! This was also my first view of what I came to Nepal for. We hung outside and had some coffee while soaking in the view of the tallest mountain on this planet.

There it is, Mt.Everest in all it's splendor. This was taken from the terrace outside the Everest view hotel with coffee in hand. Now, if only we could get some stronger (better tasting) coffee...

On the way down, we headed to the village where Sir Edmond Hillary built the first school here in the Himalayas as well.





First school built by Edmond Hillary. Khumjung Nepal.











The "Man" himself. Well, at least in statue form that is. Since being built the school has received funds from other countries as well for construction of class rooms.