Starting out on the trail

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It is a week since we arrived in Nepal, and this is the first moment I have had to write a blog. I am sitting in the Sherwi Khangba Lodge in Namche Bazaar. where we will be starting testing the Xtreme Team tomorrow. Almost the whole team has walked up from Monjo today. It was a beautiful walk, with lots of trees, butterflies, birds singing: the sun was out! My legs ache because I have not done any exercise for about 6 months, but I took it slowly on both trekking days, and I was fine. I took lots of stops to take photos, which is always a good excuse to have a breather, and the mountains look fantastic! We even got our first glimpse of Everest.

Prior to flying to Lukla on Saturday, we had been esconced in the Summit Hotel in Kathmandu. This place is like a small piece of Paradise in the middle of a bustling city. Monty Mythen claims it is one of his all time favourite places to visit. Having said that, we were all champing at the bit once our Kathmandu testing was completed. We wanted to get on the trail.

One lovely aspect of starting the trek has been meeting our Sherpa team again. Pema, our Sirdar, has been orchestrating the Sherpas and porters, and Tunde and Mingma have been looking after us on a day to day basis on the trail. Pasang has been in the background also.

Finally, I need to say a big thank you to Steve from Mouse to House, who drove to my house early on Saturday 17th (our departure day) to bring me a fistful of SD cards for our cameras. He did this, despite it being his birthday. What a star!

Comments on this article

By: Ben Blake	When: 22nd Apr 2007 00:45
Hi Message for dick (less) burnham aka richard burnham.....Hi you flid...hows your hand? have you owned up to how it happened yet????? bet you aint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope life in the himalayas is treating you well and get in touch ASAP we are missing your ugly mush you sad ass... Benj Michael and sarah

By: louiserobinson	When: 26th Mar 2007 22:57
a Welsh win!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to see the flipfops!!!!!!!!!! Thinking of you lots and love keeping up with the news,Hope its not too cold.. LOL O,Sullivans xx

By: Dick Burnham

When: 26th Mar 2007 20:03

How much more precious revision time can I dwindle away reading about all your adventures? Last exam tomorrow, day drinking, day packing, day getting results and I will be hot on your heals to join you all!

Love dick

By: Lamont

When: 26th Mar 2007 18:21

Kay,
Thank you for your postings. Great reads!! I hope the flight to Lukla was not too "hair-raising". Hopefully, the acclimatization time in Namche Bazaar will allow the team recovery time. Continued good wishes on a safe expedition.

Lamont Ross (ryan ross father)

By: Debbie Smyth	When: 26th Mar 2007 17:28
Hi Kay and team , really pleased things are going well for you all , the scenery does sound amazing but i must admit i don't envy you the trekking part , but no pain ,no gain ! Good luck on your nect stage of your journey

By: Tina Fotherby

When: 26th Mar 2007 11:50

Hi Kay and Team

Thanks for the up-date that is really intersting. Wishing you and the intrepid team a great week ahead and a superb expedition.

All the best, Tina Fotherby

Blog by Kay Mitchell