Namche Bazaar

Sometimes when the weather doesn't play nice and things don't go according to schedule, even an incredible city like Kathmandu can become unbearable. Despite lots of visits to temples and historic sites, some great meals at Kathmandu's eateries, and countless espressos and cappuccinos at the local Illy Cafe, after our flights to the mountains were cancelled for a third day (due to bad weather) it was time to do something dramatic.

Our Ama Dablam team of 12 made it to Namche Bazaar. Everyone feels great and is very strong. The greatest challenge so far might well have been competing for who can sample the most throat burning local whiskey.

With good weather, great food, and an interesting and varied team, we are enjoying our acclimatization trek up the Khumbu Valley. Tomorrow we expect to see our first views of Everest, and our mountain, Ama Dablam. The next 5 days of walking will take us up to 17,500 feet, and include stops in lots of the famous villages and monastaries of this Buddhist region.

Our team flew into Lukkla yesterday in great weather. We hiked to Monjo and then today onto Namche Bazaar, the famous administrative capital of the Khumbu region of Nepal. Everyone is healthy and enjoying the walk in. Tomorrow we should see Ama Dablam for the first time. We will be trekking for 5 more days before reaching Base Camp and getting to work on the hill. The sherpa grapevine says that no one has been above Camp II on Ama yet, so we are getting ready to fix up high as needed. Should be fun!

-Adrian B.

The team has assembled and the Himalayan climbing season has begun! 18 climbing members, 5 guides, 1 doctor, 22 Sherpa, 8 base camp staff, and 8 trekkers are feeling strong in Namche Bazaar and are heading up the Khumbu Valley. They are taking their time, enjoying the villages and views, and expect to be in Base Camp around April 10. We’ll have more info soon!