RMI Expeditions Blog

Greeting from the Khumbu,

The team woke to clear skies for our walk to Namche. We filled our bellies with coffee and breakfast and hit the trail. After about two minutes of walking with pulled off the trail for a bakery pitstop. Herman's Bakery in Phakding makes a variety of delicious baked goods that make great trail snacks. Packs full of pastries we hit the trail for real this time. The trek to Namche gains 3,000' but with all the ups and downs it feels like much more. Walking these stairs is much more beautiful and engaging than the Stairmaster at home. We crossed high and long suspension bridges that have a slight bounce to them as you make your way across. A final big push up and we are greeted by a town in a bowl on the side of the mountains. Namche is vast and bustling with eager trekkers. It is a great place to have a rest day. The team made great work getting here and is looking forward to exploring all that is Namche. Tomorrow we will sleep in with a casual breakfast than go on a small hike followed by well-deserved resting. 

Goodnight all back home,

RMI Guides Hannah Smith, Abby Westling, and Team 

Hello Everyone 

It's incredibly beautiful, peaceful, and the mountains are grandiose. We've been very comfortable hiking each day in the sunny weather, then bundling up in our warm sleeping bags each night as the temperature drops. 

Dinner is often around 7 and the menu is pretty much the same at every tea house with plenty of soups, simple pasta, rice, potatoes, and typical Nepalese Dal Bat.  

After dinner we relax and have a brief review of the day ahead and then it's off to bed. 

The team hiked up Kala Patar this afternoon to get a better view of Everest which didn’t disappoint!

Spirits are high as we push closer to basecamp and if the weather cooperates, we should arrive tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll be able to get updates out, but in the off chance we can’t, the team will be at Everest Base camp for two nights. 

There’s no cell service or WiFi most likely. 

That's all for now

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Hello again,

Hurry to wait was the name of the game this morning. The team woke early for the airport. It's a hectic scene at the Domestic Airport with people flying both fixed wing and helicopter. Everyone anxiously waits hoping they get to fly. Some cloudy weather separated the team as one helicopter took off, one was waiting for air traffic to clear, and one helicopter needed to arrive in Kathmandu. After a long morning and great patience by the team, all members arrived in Lukla by 1pm. A quick lunch fueled us to make our way to our first Teahouse. The start of our trek takes a downward trend with rolling uphill mixed in. Everyone looked strong and capable as we made our way along the crisp clear river below and up and down cobbled stairs. A walk across the river via suspension bridge brings us to our home for the night. Here we are great by a yippy dog and hot lemon ginger to warm us on a crisp afternoon. First day of the trek is complete. Tomorrow we will make our way to Namche where we will spends two nights acclimatizing and souvenir shopping. As for now we are cozied up in our beds ready for so earned sleep. 

Goodnight all, 

RMI Guides Hannah Smith, Abby Westling, and Team

All is well here on the trek!

Today we left Pheriche and hiked further up valley to Lobuche, we slowly made our way along the winding path that we share with other trekkers, porters heavily laden with loads bound for Base camp, and yaks who aren't as keen to share the trail. We made good time and enjoyed the astounding views before reaching camp for the night.

Everyone is currently relaxing in our tea house enjoying the warmth of yak dung fire. There's been plenty of good conversation with our team and other trekkers on the same journey as us.

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Good morning readers,

Today we awoke at various times. Some have escaped the wrath of the jetlag and some of us not so much. After a few cups of coffee we met for our team meeting where we went over our itinerary, important information and gear check for our time in the Khumbu. Afterwards we loaded a van and went on our city tour. We walked around the Boudhanath Stupa and learned out the Wheel of Life and the Mandala. Next we walked the many steps to the monkey temple and yes there were plenty of cute monkeys. But don't let their cuteness confuse you, they can be quite intimidating. After an afternoon walking around the sites, the team was ready for a quick rest before dinner. Tonight is our last night in Kathmandu. Tomorrow we wake before the sun to head to the airport to fly to Lukla. Please send all your positive, lucky vibes and keep us in your prayers, no matter the religion, for safe travels on our flight and for good weather.

Goodnight and sleep tight,

RMI Guides Hannah, Abby, and Team

Hello again everyone.

Team is hanging tough here in Pheriche as the weather and clouds continue to obscure the amazing views. But spirits are high nonetheless!

Thankfully today was a scheduled rest day and the team enjoyed relaxing here at our lodge most of the day. We did manage to squeeze in a very short hike in the snow to stretch our legs a bit. Reading, naps and some storytelling filled most of the day.

Weather forecast are calling for sunshine tomorrow. So keep your fingers crossed for us!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Monday, March 20, 2023 - 3:22 pm PT

Namaste readers,

Hello from Kathmandu Nepal! The team has arrived for their Trek to Everest Base Camp and climb up Lobuche peak. Jetlag had everyone a bit sleepy at our first team Dinner but everyone has arrived healthy and psyched to hit the trail. Out of 12 people we only have one missing duffle stuck in Delhi, so we are sitting pretty good overall. Tomorrow we meet in the morning for a more official team meeting where we will discuss our itinerary and expectations for our trip along with a gear check. After we take care of some business we will relax and enjoy the sights on our city tour. Fingers crossed the team gets some descent sleep and isn't writing a dispatch at 4am unable to sleep since 2am...oh the jetlag. 

Keep following along as we embark on a trek of a lifetime!

RMI Guides Hannah Smith, Abby Westling, and Team

Namaste Everyone

The team woke to beautifully clear skies and views of Everest right out our dining room window. Apparently the Puja we had yesterday helped!

We’ve settled into our daily routine of getting up and packing our duffel bags before meeting in the dining room for breakfast and plenty of Starbucks, thanks to RMI sending it with us. After breakfast we step outside to get a better sense of the temperature before adjusting our layers for the hike. Once on the trail we do our best to maintain a steady pace, with stops every hour or so to stay hydrated and take in the views. There’s plenty of other hikers and yak trains headed in both directions to negotiate as well.

Today we hiked for a little over six hours including breaks and a light lunch to get to our next tea house in Pheriche, which sits at about 14,000'.

Everyone did great and enjoyed the stunning views of Ama Dablam, one of the most iconic peaks along the route to Base Camp.

RMI Guide Casey Grom  and the Base Camp crew

Namaste everyone,

The team is hanging tough here in Khumbu. Today we departed Namche and hiked for about 6 hours today up and down, dropping all the way down to a river, which is a stunning turquoise, then climbed slowing up the hill before the famous Tengboche Monastery. Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favor, normally we get to see might Everest off in the distance as well as many other Himalayan giants, but not today. 

I’m grateful the team didn’t seem to mind, and everyone chatted happily, except on those uphill sections. 

Traditionally we have gotten a blessing from a famous lama in Pangboche, but sadly that lama has moved on to a higher calling. So today we were able to request a private Puja with another lama at Tengboche and each receive a blessing. The Puja is a Buddhist ceremony where the lama chants a Buddhist prayer and gives us a blessing to protect us from harm and grant us health and a long life. 

We've settled in to a nice and warm tea house called Rivendale that's incredibly clean and nice. I shouldn’t mention the heated blankets everyone is enjoying, since we want you all to think we’re roughing it! 

RMI Guide Casey Grom and The Warm and Newly Blessed Crew. 

Hello again from Nepal.

All is well here in Namche and the team is doing great. Today is scheduled as a rest/acclimatization day to help our bodies adjust to the change in altitude. Normally I like to get the team out for a little exploring and sightseeing, but the weather had other plans for us. So instead, we had a leisurely morning here around the tea house and once the clouds broke, we ventured out to wonder this beautiful and friendly village. Some headed for coffee shops while other went off in search for unknown treasures.

We reconvened around noon to enjoy some amazing food at the local fresh food spot called “Eat Smart “and did just that!

We did manage a short hike to see the town from one of the adjacent hillsides and then did a little “puffy pants” shopping to help keep us nice and toasty higher up the valley.

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Puffy Pants Crew