11/4/2013
So here we are all of at Gorak Shep breakfast of porridge and cup of tea and we were ready to go ready too get to highest point we have ever been. Was weird feeling all the trekking all the early mornings and here it was the day we would reach our goal. I was feeling great was tired as we all were but the excitement of this last bit had taken over and I think the rest were all feeling the same. From the lodge we had a bit of a flat walk before we began a gradual ascent, once again it was slowly slowly but have to say kala pathar looked steep but we were all ready beginning to get some views and it was a great day. The slowly slowly approach all through this helped us build up the steady rhythm we needed when walking at high altitude and we were all ready used to walking at the pace that was just perfect for today. The walk soon became very tough and you really began to breath heavily as you struggled to take in the air I was finding it hard sure we all were even at this slow pace but up we all went. We could see our goal a rocky hilltop just below Pumori but that's not all we could see the views here surpassed everything we had seen they were magnificent they surpassed our wildest imagination. This would take us around one to two hours to reach the summit of kala but the views from from lower view points were almost as good. On we all went climbing higher and higher and breathing became really difficult but we would stop for few minutes to try to get some air into the lungs then on we went. This was taking it out of us all but the views just pushed all that struggle aside I know I keep saying this but it just was awesome in its beauty. I remember one stop we had and the summit was jut ahead of us we all sat looking around then our guide said ok ok slowly slowly only about another hour, I remember looking at martin and thinking 20mins its jut there mmmm no it was an hour this last bit it was breathing out your backside time:-). So on we went until we reached our goal and what a relief when we did it was so emotional it just blew us all away I can never tell you how happy we all were or of the views Pumori right beside us and across Numptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega, oh and the ever so stunning Mount Everest who I can tell you now put on a show just for us lol no one else. It was hugs all around and tears I sent helen a text from summit a simple text base camp to Helen mission complete and was in tears I could not control the tears and I thank April for that hug it helped massively. Looking around at our Happy band of explorers it was just so good to see all those smiles all that pain we went through seemed for a while to just go away, Jo, Martin, kate , Mike, Tina, Nolan, Andy and April and Bruce just all so proud of our achievement. So looking around us from the summit Everest cleared and seem to be saying here come on get your photos while you can haha it would cloud over a bit then clear and at one time seem to be wearing a hat as you will see from the photos. Bellow us around 200m lay base camp and the amazing Khumbu ice fall this was what I dreamed of seeing for over 5 years That big old mountain was right across from us and as I sat there looking I could not take the smile of my face I was just so bloody happy and so proud of not only me but of my new friends well done to us all and to our amazing guides I can never thank you enough. We stayed there for while taking all this beautiful landscape in then taken more photos and group photos oh and more hugging and smiles. I sat for another while just taking it all in and every time looking across thinking wow just bloody wow. After about an hour it was time to head back down to Gorak Shep for lunch but all the time just stopping and taken more photos. It was an easy descent back down and we were all on cloud nine but then when one of us became unwell it would change the mood but this just showed how close we had become. I think Tina although smiling all the way up was not feeling great most of the day, when we got back to Gorak and had lunch I could see that she was upset as it turned out Tina had been in a bit of pain which seemed to be getting worse I won't go into all the details as i don't want this to take anything away from what Tina and Nolan had achieved today but it got to stage where we had o find a doctor, this was the only time I felt we were let down a bit as trying to get in touch with someone for help was not easy must admit to it being a real struggle to get someone and I wonder to this day what would have happened if something like this had happened on the summit of Kala? But after all the phoning and not getting very far we eventually managed to get a doctor well our young guide did Cammay had gone outside to see if he could find a doc and just so happens he found one of the best thank god. She checked Tina over and decided to get her flown to Kathmandhu by helicopter asap thinking she had a slight angina attack, this of course upset Tina and Nolan who after such a high hit a low but main concern was to get Tina to hospital. And of course the whole group was affected we were all so worried and all we could do at that stage was wish them both well especially Tina and of course we would take care of all there stuff and bring it back to Kathmandu with us. So we all hugged and wished Tina and Nolan well it was so sad so hard to say our goodbyes but we were all relieved as well that she was going to get some help. Tina was finally flown to Lukla and then to Kathmandu where we would all meet up again to our sheer delight she was still not feeling at her best but was just so good to see them both and here it was not an angina attack and will say bit more on meeting them again later.
So after lunch and all that had been going on we still had to make our way back to Lobuche so off we set all concerned for not only Tina but Nolan as well but we consoled ourselves with the fact that they were in good hands now. On we went it was long walk back retracing our steps but this time in daylight and most of the snow from this morning had melted we all talked about our day and how fantastic it was we all tried to stay positive and but of course we had other things on our mind. We arrived back at our village and there was hot tea waiting for us it was good then a quick wash and back for our tea. This days trek had lasted 13hrs a very long day we were a shattered. Nolan sent a letter thanking us that was good of him to do something like that after what they went through taken the time to send a letter. So off to bed by happy of course worried to but as you will read when we heard Tina and Nolan would meet us later it was whoops of joy. There be no rest after our long day it was up nearly for start of trek back.
12/4/2013
So today was a day we started our long journey back to Kathmandu our first place would be back to Pangboche, it was also day we would split up as April and Andy were going on to do Island peak and Joanna and Bruce were going onto goyoko pass Tina and Nolan were meant to be going with Jo and Bruce but for reasons you will already know they were unable to do this bit. We left Lobuje early and we would be dropping to 3875m this trek would be a bit quicker as we were dropping down Burt was hard going at times after our 13hr trek yesterday. It was about just over an hour when we split from Jo and Bruce and around two hours then April and Andy went there own way, saying goodbye was hard to them all we had all gone through so much together had all helped each other just been there for each other and now was time to wish them all good luck and be safe hugs all around few tears but got to say a lot of congratulations and smiles as well what a great bunch of people felt so lucky to have met them and I hope I meet them again. So four left myself Kate, Mike and Martin. We headed back to Pheriche and had lunch there sat in silence for a while I don't know maybe thinking of all we had archived in the last 13 days and of course other thoughts. But we were happy and was not long before we all started chatting again, we had if I remember tuna sandwiches and chips this filled me up very quickly had lost my appetite a bit but wanted to keep eating, after lunch we sat for about an hour then was time to head back. We crossed Khumbu Khola and ascended a short but steep trail mmm after the thirteen hours the day before this steep bit was bloody hard lol a few stops were had going up here I was blowing out of my arse ha ha... we reached the top of a small ridge and again had some great views of the Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega looked great with the blue skies as a back drop. We then dropped down passing the small settlements at Orsho and Shomare, and arrived back at Pangboche to our lodge. On our way back our guide had a phone call to tell us that Tina and Nolan were to meet us in Lukla this was met with smiles all around and yeah bit of relief. Pangboche was nice and quiet place it was good the four of us arrived there we were weary of course the last two days were so hard we all sat outside and had cup of tea but boy I could have had a beer lol but no still had fair bit to do so resisted we all did. Martin happened to see a girl across from us eating a big bowl of spaghetti looked so good so he asks chowding our guide if we could have that for tea oooooo Martin well done ha ha was now so looking forward to tea and when it came it was great. We still had views of Everest from here it was like I said a great wee village with a real nice bakery mmmm apple bloody pie :-). After tea we sat and chatted again was really beginning to like these chats and I am sure snickers bars was mentioned a couple of times as we were also going to meet Kev and Eileen in Lukla to. Well time to head for land of zzzz and boy i had my best night sleep mmm wonder why :-) tomorrow we were heading back to Namche my favourite place and to a hot shower ahhh bliss :-)
13/4/2013
Today was our journey back to Namche bazaar at 3446m another early start which was good as we were all looking forward to getting there and spending the night oh and Starbucks coffee and more apple struddle at the cyber bar mmmm and mike would even treat himself to an Everest beer well deserved. We descended steeply through forrest of juniper and rhododendrons and fir trees and crossed over the Dudh Kosi river to ascend to Trashinga from here the trail contoured high above the valley through Sanasa before turning to Namche it was once again a steep climb but we were happy the four of us to be back. We stooped few times to catch our breath and take in some fluids eat some Snickers bars mmmmm just eat them normally though:-) was finding easier to walk and eat at same time as well. So here we were and once again it was shower time after lunch was so good to have as shower before going into Namche. We all headed down and did bit of shopping getting some good bargains even all manged to get free key ring of one shop owner as we all bought something from her shop these people were so kind. We then met for our treat yup that pie and it did not disappoint and neither did Mike's beer, i still decided to wait until Lukla as did Kate and Martin. So after bit more shopping we headed back to our lodge we all just had relaxing day and I noticed how well my beard had come on man it was itchy but everybody's beard had come on well not everybody's of course Kate was beard free ha ha:-). Tonight after tea we stayed up for a while and were hearing conflicting story's about Tina and Nolan but now seemed we were meeting them in Kathmadu and not Lukla as was first mentioned think Tina had to go for another check up but no matter where we met its going to be great to see them again. So posted few more things on fb for all to see and the rest of night was spent doing usual reading or chatting was good also as Martin was able to use face time again to speak to his wife and family. We were up until about 8 but then off to kip as tomorrow would be a long trek back to Lukla our final days trekking us four weary but happy trekkers and as it turned out for me over night it became just that bit harder.
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