High on a Mountain Top

First Off...I just wanted to give all of my readers proof that yes in fact I did graduate!!! I want to thank first my family for the support and the help through the last few years, even being far away you were a great support!! Secondly my friends, for giving me needed breaks and fun in New York and Salt Lake. Lastly, I thank to thank my Heavenly Father.



Now...saying goodbye to Nepal was easier than I though it would be. I think it was because of all the excitement I felt coming home for graduation and start to residency. I absolutely loved my time there and I would go back in a heartbeat (and probably will), but three months was long enough for now, and there is so much fun to be had in the next few months....

This was saying goodbye to all of the young people in the Branch. We had scheduled an ice cream and bowling party the Friday before I was to leave, but there was a strike that closed down the entire city of Kathmandu that day. It was frustrating but typical. My pictures of the going away party with VSN are well...i didn't take any, because I was busy talking. So if someone (Liz- hint hint) could send me some then that would be fantastic.


This is Maya again. She is a master knitter, so I commissioned her to make 25 wool hats, for souvenirs for home. If you want one then let me know...


This is the Taipet 101, which is currently the tallest building in the world. I went to the observation floor on the 89 floor, and it was actually pretty cool. It was a cloudy day though, so I didn't see too much of the country side, just the immediate city. All of my connections were on time, which was a huge relief. I did have a little scare though when I was in Bangkok and Taipei. I went to the counter in Bangkok and they told me that because I missed my flight three months ago and that Delta rerouted me to Seoul on Korean Air instead of China, that China Air did not think I was coming on the flight. It was an easy fix in Bangkok and I specially made sure that he would let Taipei know that I was coming on my next flight. But of course that next morning in Taipei I was told that the flight was full and I was not on it. I was then a little persuasive and they "found" a seat for me....





Graduation day with my parents. The ceremony was held at Lincoln center and was actually pretty cool. We all stood and recited the Declaration of Geneva
and then we lined up and received our actually diploma on the stage. Then some old person that we had never met (they give lots and lots of money to do this) put our green "hood" on us. The green means we are MD. Blue is for PhD etc.


Then next few days have been just relaxing and seeing some of my NYC friends. Here we are at the Shake Shack...yummy yummy.


Now in a few hours I am off for SLC...call me in a few days my SLC friends!!

Rick

So, after I arrived home I got the news that our brand new VSN clinic for the Landless community was a great success, but that the Young Communist League decided to move into the area. They abducted the leader of the landless community and took over the office. So....we decided it best to keep international volunteers out of the area until it calms down a bit. But this abduction is not as bad in the past....they won't hurt him, just take a ransom. So, that was the bad news...

Other good news though is that instead we went to the four orphanages that VSN works with. Each day we examined and saw from 10-25 kids and some of the other volunteers taught about tooth bushing and washing hands. It was a grand success and we all had a great time. We decided to make little patient charts for all of the kids as well that they can keep at the orphanage.

Also, this week the teachers were on strike in Kathmandu, so we could do anything in the schools, and one day there was a transportation strike that shut down all of the buses, cars, and motorcycles.....

Sometimes we need a week that screams...You are in Nepal!!!

Have a great day....I come back to the states in less than a week now, so this might be my last entry....we will see....

Ok folks here is the last installment of my trekking pictures. I realize that I have not put too much commentary into them, but that will have to wait until I see you live. Because hey you are going to ask anyway....

This is a shot of Kala Patar from our Gorak Shep Guest House. the Peak behind is is called Pumo Ri, which is named daughter peak. It was named about Mallory's newly born daughter!



This is a shot of the valley coming into Dingboche.

The next big adventure of the trek was to climb two peaks that are along a ridge. One is called Chhukkung Ri and the the other Chukkung Tse. I went up while Liz stayed back in the town, as the climbs are not easy ones...

This is Island Peak (I think) which is a very common peak for people to come climb. Permits to climb these lower peaks about 6,000 meters or 20,000 ft cost $350 for up to five. This shot was taken at the beginning of my climb up the Ri and Tse.


You can just see the beginning of the Ri here under this gigantic peak, which is called Lotse. Lotse is the 4th tallest mountain in the world and happens to be on the south shoulder of Everest. Lotse and Everest share climbing routes for about half of the way up.

This is coming across the side of Chukkung Ri (not exactly where the trail goes, but seriously when do I stay on trails. {mom, don't worry}) I absolutley love this shot and I think it is the best of the lot that I took. The Ri is to the left and this beautiful peak is one of the ama peaks. I think Dablam but I could be wrong. Either way...wow!!!

From the top of the Ri. It is about 5,500 meters, making it the third highest for my life.


The Ri and Tse are connected by a long ridge. This shot is taken of th Tse about half-way across the ridge line. Trust me mom there were no exposed sections... (wink, wink)
This picture also shows the south shoulder of Nuptse.


This is the ridge looking back at the Ri and ama.

Here I am sitting at the highest point I have ever been. It was such a great feeling getting to the top of this thing. It wasn't my hardest of all time, but I was definitely the most winded I have ever been. I would climb/crawl a few meters and then would have to catch my breath. I left my guest house at about 8:00 am and got to the top at just before noon.


Here is the shot of my watch to prove my time and elevation!! 19,200 ft!!!!!


This next one was taken as we were heading down the canyon. I zoomed in to get this shot of the Ri and Tse. They are on this ridge, but I can't figure out which is where. But still a cool sight. What is amazing is that I was at 19,200 ft and not even close to the giants that are behind. What a sight!!


This is the Tengboche monastery. We were going to spend the night in this town, but decided to push on to the next destination.
Back to Namche Bazaar....

A monastery flag..in Lukla

I am buying my souvenoir for the trek in this shot. All of the local porters carry their goods in these baskets. During breaks they put these "sticks" called "Tokmaa" under their basket to rest. Then also on steep climbs they use them as we would use a walking stick. I had purchased a Tokmaa in Namchee from a little shop, but I really wanted one from the trail from an active porter. So I traded mine and way to many ruppees to this girl named Sabina. Hers was great and it cost me....the entire day I examined each porters until I found the one I wanted. It worked out great too that I could give the money to her, because there are so few females working as porters. Also hers was less heavy than most!



Well that's it. I will see you all in a few weeks!

Rick

Ok So this is a baby yak on the trail .....how cute!!


This is the top of the Cho La. We had great weather...well for half of it anyway. The pass is 5,300 meters which is like 17,500 ft or soomething..


Me in the snow at the top of the pass....


Fun little mtn peaking out!


Now to Everest Base Camp. This is the Super Sherpa food tent. Quite nice eh?



This is the outside of the communications tent. Set up with internet. Radios to communicate on the mtn etc.


Here are two of my Sherpa friends! Apa Sherpa is on the left and Lakpa on the right. They are both world record holders for summiting Everest. It was amazing to see them at Base Camp. They left the next day and summited two days later. Amazing!!!



This is the start of the climb. Through this massive maze of ice!

After I left Base Camp I finally got my first little view of Everest. That black peak with the snow blowing off the top. That my friends is the tallest point on the Earth!

This is the view away from Everest from on top of a peak called Kala Patar. It means black rock in tibetan and is the best close view point of Everest..

This is the elevation of the Kala Patar


Everest from the KP.

The next day we went back to Base Camp. And this helicopter was taking a load of a crashed copter right where we happened to be walking....cool...

View of Base Camp....a maze of tents, ice, and disease...

Just got back from my 19 day trek in the Solukumbu and it was amazing!!! Words cannot describe. I loved and would do it again in a heartbeat. (although I was ready to get back to Kathmandu and my computer!)

I'm not really sure how to proceed. I took about 300 pictures on the trek. I am going to just put up a bunch in time line order and then give a little blurb about each. My thoughts etc will have to come later. I also made the pictures pretty small and not the best quality so I could put up more than usual....sorry.


This is the lowest part of the trek. Just after the Airport.

There were quite a few suspension bridges lower down in the canyons to cross. Oh yeah and fun Yaks to share the trail with!

This is Namche which is the main "town" in the Kumbu region. Email, international calls, laundry, shopping, a bakery! It is quite luxurious. And it is has fantastic views!

The people carve and paint rocks with Buddhist's mantras...

View of Namche from the top...


Just above Namche is a village called Kunde. There they have to nicest hospital that I have seen in Nepal. It is amazing. They are support by Canadians and see patients from all over the Everest region. I had a great time taking a tour there and meeting the doctors and health workers. They loved that I could speak some Nepali. Maybe next year I can do an elective there....



There are two main directions out of Namche. One leads to Everest and the other up a canyon called Gokyo canyon. We went up the Gokyo area first and then over a pass to Everest....but that is getting ahead! At the top of that canyon is Cho Oyu, which is the sixth highest mountain in the world. Ain't it a beauty!! This was my first view.


Cho Oyu!!!


Gokyo is famous for the Six Sacred Lakes. This is number 2.

Lake 2


The valleys are made by cool glaciers...and they are beautiful!


This is lake three..at sunrise...right out of the door where we stayed!

Glacier again this time from above the 5th lake looking down the canyon...

Me and the Glacier. This point is called the Scoundrel's view of Everest, but it was cloudy and we couldn't see much of it. Actually from here you can see four of the tallest mountains. We only saw the glacier.


This is the Cho Oyu base camp that is no longer used. This is above the Sixth lake that hardly anyone goes to, but of course we did!


This picture was taken the first time I was at 17,000 ft!

We met some wonderful friends from Holland. Flor and Tim we traveled together for about three days!


There is a peak called Gokyo Ri (Ri means peak) that is one of the best places to see Everest etc, but of course even with waiting an extra day we only saw fog. Oh and this cool Yak chillin'.


Frozen prayer flags at the top of Gokyo Ri...


Liz looking at the wonderful view!!

So we left Gokyo and went to the Cho La (La means pass). And on the way we had to cross the glacier. This is a glacial lake. Brrr..


Some days the mountains would just pop out like this!!



Well that is all for now folks!! To the bottom of the pass....

Rick