We experienced the normal sadness about leaving trees today but the thrill of life at high altitude is plenty a replacement. We enjoyed good weather all day, just a bit chilly pulling into Pheriche, our home for the next two nights, at about 14,000 ft it was to be expected. The team was fortunate to visit Lama Geshi in Pangboche. A chant and a blessing for each sent the group out the door in high spirits.
Our path was diverted slightly as a bridge had collapsed. How many times I have crossed that span thinking it had another twenty years of life in it? Not so. The detour was a pleasant stroll by the river with yet another great photo opp on the new bridge. Wishing you all the best
RMI Guide Mark Tucker & Team
A big hello from me to Nancy and Elizabeth! The photos are inspirational. It looks like a great group and I know they are loving getting to know you both! Eliz Christenberry and I talk about you every day. :)
The team did fine work of packing up, grabbing a quick breakfast then good-bye Namche. Hello to Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Teboche, Cholatse, which are just a few peaks between 20,000' and 27,000'. Of course, the big one, Mt. Everest at 29,035' was also out in full bloom under clear skies and warm temperatures. No we didn't climb any of them, just enjoyed them from afar. Another great job by the A team. Tackled the Tengboche Hill in fine style and just as we arrived at the infamous monastery, a monk began blowing through a giant conch shell announcing the afternoon prayer. We abandoned our boots at the entrance and spent some time in the ornate sanctuary listening to them chant. A few nice photos and twenty minutes down the hill to the Rivendale Tea House for the night. A full day to say the least.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
So proud of you Nancy! You are a great inspiration to me. I even did a minor climb…I went to the top of Diamond Head. Keep you’re spirits up. You’re in my thoughts & prayers everyday. Love following you’re experience as it is happening.
Posted by: Cece on 3/28/2014 at 12:06 am
You all look amazing!! SO proud of you!! The weather looks beautiful.
What a nice day for the team. Really the first time to catch our breath and that is not an easy task here at 11,000ft. After the whirlwind tour of Kathmandu, a flight into the mountains, and a big hike yesterday, what a nice option to take it easy today. We still cut a swath through Namche Bazaar, invested in the local economy and even stretched our legs a bit. Recharging our physical and gadgetry batteries was the focus of the day.
One highlight was a trip to the local museum. It had three viewing areas: one being a typical Sherpa home with all the furnishings, another of Sherpa history and culture, and a room full of Everest history, fantastic photos and early expedition gear.
The team has been behaving well and enjoying all the support of our local outfitter, High Altitude Dreams, and the fantastic staff here at our Tea house in Namche, Camp de Base. We all feel so lucky to spend this time with these wonderful people.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
The team had a very nice rest after our last night in Kathmandu. The city was a hoot, but back here in the high country is tough to beat.
All business today. After a nice breakfast of French toast, guess we should call it Nepali toast, we started ascending to Namche Bazaar. A little overcast made for pleasant travel. We are now officially in Sagamartha National Park, which encompasses Mount Everest. We climbed more than 2,000 feet in great style and are now resting comfortably at a tea house in Namche Bazaar. Located at over 11,000 feet makes for a planned extra day here for rest and adjusting to these altitudes. So important to not ascend too quickly. The A team is consuming a lot of great food, but that is a good thing. Remember you can't run a bulldozer on a pint of diesel!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Nancy , I am so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What an experience. Jackie and I are here looking at the photos of your trek…...WOW!
Posted by: mimi on 4/3/2014 at 8:58 am
Hi Liz and all your spirited team members!
So proud of you guys and wishing you all the best as you continue on a trip of a lifetime! So proud of you all!!! Very inspirational to see you guys pushing it to your limit.
Sending Love and light,
Karin
After an early start this morning from the hotel in Kathmandu, the team boarded a plane to Lukla. Then the trek began. We met our Sherpa team and began our trek to Everest Base Camp with a hike along the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding. The weather was very nice for hiking today. Now, we are checked in at our first tea house of the trip. We are excited to have stretched our legs a bit and arrived in the mountains.
We will check in tomorrow from Namche Bazarre.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Jackpot! Feeling like Mr. T with his A Team. My amazing team and all our gear arrived in Kathmandu. All our boxes are checked, i.e. orientation meeting, equipment check, city tour and it is pouring rain in Kathmandu. Despite the rain, we had way too much fun experiencing the culture today in the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. We took many photos along our journey through the city and are getting to know each other a long the way.
Now that we feel ready to embark on our next part of our expedition, we'll sign off for the night and go find some pizza in town for dinner.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Hi ya’ll from Atlanta! Wishing you safe travels and want my Aunt Susan to know just how proud of her I am!! What an amazing journey on which you all are embarking! I hope one day to do it myself!!!
All the best!
Posted by: Teale Nist on 3/23/2014 at 9:12 pm
Way to go ladies!!!!!! Glad you made it safe and sound. Looking forward to following you through your journey. Hi Susan, be safe.
Debra
Mark Tucker checking in. We are presently located at the airport, Kilimanjaro International. Great views of the mountain on the way here. We spent a few hours on the road today. Got through Tarangire one last time, saw many animals as expected. Had a lovely snack at the fabulous Dik Dik Resort, hot showers, and everybody is good to go. We are winging our way back home. Looking forward to seeing everybody in the states. Thanks for following the trip.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Well known for its river valleys, wetlands, gently rolling hills, rocky outcrops, acacia woodlands, and numerous baobabs (the upside down tree). We are here at the Tarangire National Park which is one of my favorites. Perfect conditions weather wise during the game drive today. Wide open spaces and views to behold. Here we are at the Kikoti Luxury tent camp for the night after a great game drive through the park. I was just escorted to my tent by a man with a Rifle and another with a spear. Not uncommon for night movement while living in the bush.
Sure hope I survive the night so I can report in tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
The day went like clockwork. We had a great breakfast and then hopped in our vehicles for a short drive to the entrance of the Ngorongoro National Park. The day was cloudy and cool to start, but by the time we descended some two thousand feet, to floor of the largest unbroken and unflooded caldera in the world, the sun was a shining. I would guess that we only saw about 20% of the 30,000 animals that live in the crater. On our way back to the amazing Plantation Lodge for another night we stopped into a Masai Village for a tour and some special shopping options. Tomorrow brings us to the home of more elephants per square mile than anywhere else in the world, Tarangire National Park. Somebody has to do it, wish you were here.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Mark Tucker checking in. All is going as planned. Gotta love it. Had a very nice sleep in a bed with a big, cozy down blanket last night. Tough to miss the tent time high up the hill, but, suffer we must. Another great breakfast for the team. Our safari Landcruisers were readied last night so all we needed was a quick gear adjustment. We left most of our stuff back at the Dik Dik where we will stop by en route to our international flights in a few nights. On the way here to the fabulous Lake Manyara National Park, we stopped at a shop for a few snacks and had a fabulous time. We are located at the base of the Eastern Great Rift Escarpment where we saw all sorts of animals: giraffes, baboon, [lost connection] and birds. We are now at the Plantation Lodge for two nights. Tomorrow we travel to the eighth wonder of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls in from Day 1 of their Safari.
A big hello from me to Nancy and Elizabeth! The photos are inspirational. It looks like a great group and I know they are loving getting to know you both! Eliz Christenberry and I talk about you every day. :)
Posted by: Dada Glaser on 3/28/2014 at 8:38 am
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