Stuck at the national airport for 30hours, we finally were able to fly to Lukla; the main start of expeditions and trekkings in the Khumbu/Everest region. Starting to feel very unlucky at that time, we now can say that we must have been very happy to actually have been able to fly, finally! All our possible flights were cancelled, some of them while boarding (how demotivating…) because of too much wind, cloudy weather, a nonfunctioning radar system and a broken antenna. Not a good thing if you ask me… 
!
Anyway during a window of less wind, 4 of our team were able to jump into the plane and feel sick for the entire 30min. Gosh, what a wind indeed… Only after landing we could finally uncross our fingers; a terrifying crash of 2 years back at Lukla still fresh in our memory. While writing, I learned that it would have taken another 24h before any other flight would have reached Lukla (this time because of a strike)!
Two of our team are staying behind in Lukla to collect the first 1000kg of equipment and materials for the Clean up Expedition (
http://extremeeverestexpedition.blogspot.com ), which will be sent somewhere these days from Kathmandu, as well as to arrange porters or yaks for this horrible load…
Armand and I will already go further up, to get properly acclimatized before reaching the BC in 2 weeks. Not really a good predisposition to be born below sea level when you are interested in these kinds of trips
, although it’s everything but a burden to have to be around here, mandatory! Besides learning to breath again, these weeks will be used to spread the word for the activities of the Climbing for Water Foundation (
www.climbingforwater.org /
http://climbingforwater.blogspot.com ).
Walking and talking; actually the best publicity!
May 27, 2010 | Categories: Eveline Wessels | Tags: climbing, everest, expedition, mountaineering | Leave A Comment »
So far, 60 expeditions have applied to climb different mountains in Nepal during this Spring season and 49 of them have already been issued permits.
In total 547 persons (480 men and 67 women) have received permits to attempt 21 peaks above 5647m.
Among them:
224(!) persons will climb Mt Everest (Nepal side),
58 persons Makalu I
49 persons Lhotse
35 persons Annapurna I
23 persons Manaslu
20 persons Dhaulagiri
19 persons Ama Dablam
12 persons Nuptse
- Adopted from the Kathmandu Post, April 8th 2010
May 27, 2010 | Categories: News & updates | Tags: climbing, everest, mountaineering | Leave A Comment »
Just ended our big packing and checking morning.
I’m still puzzled how an empty kitbag can seem so huge, while packing your belongings it seems to become smaller and smaller
The sleeping bag which should keep me warm till -49C took already one third of the space! Can’t tell you how often I got a reaction these days of people (Nepali as well as Western) who were completely horrified and flabbergasted; they can’t even name a single reason why you would go up to stay in this cold voluntary and actually also have to pay money for that…
Also in the bag are ordinary stuff like climbing gear, climbing boots, several down clothes, special socks, 2 mattresses, sunblock factor 80(!), Thermos and covers for that, face mask, 3 pair of gloves, 3 pair of sunglasses for all different purposes (yes… horrible, normally I never wear any!) etcetcetc.
I must admit that I also bought myself some luxury items, but I call them ‘absolute required luxury’
I’ll give you some…
First of all; chocolate! Candy bars, tablets and Nutella as well. About the quantity of this black gold; if I have to count it in monthly Nepali salaries I’m getting a little embarrassed here
Also a ‘must have’ is a pair of warm booties to stay warm in the rocky BC and to avoid scratching the expensive and somehow fragile climbing boots completely open before you have even started your climb! My favourites for this cold environment are boots from Canada; people there are so used to live in extreme cold half of the year that I totally rely on their designs and trials!
Next are a few books to fill the acclimatising and rest days in the BC (actually every extra gram which is not reserved for equipment can you see as ‘luxury item’), tasty tea (Moroccan mint, yummie) and not to forget some Kenzo perfumed body lotion; the environment is barren enough already
Not sure if the yak who will devotedly transport all my stuff to the BC must be happy or not, but at least it will get a hug from me, as well as a delicious snack (besides grass, what’s a Yak’s favourite candy…anyone???).
CU tomorrow. X
April 8, 2010 | Categories: Eveline Wessels | Tags: charity, climbing, everest, expedition, gear, mountaineering, nepal, preperation | Leave A Comment »
Per April 1st 2010, an additional permit will be required for every trekker who is visiting one of Nepal’s trekking and climbing areas. For travellers who book their trek/expedition at an official trekking agency, a surplus of $10 per person will be applicable. The ones who will organize their trip themselves will be charged $20 per person.
Since Mountain Consult is a registered Nepali agency, we will provide every of our clients with this so called ‘TIMS card’ (Trekkers Information Management System)
If you like to read more about this card, check the website of TAAN (Trekking Agencies Assocation of Nepal); http://www.taan.org.np/tims_taan.php
March 23, 2010 | Categories: News & updates | Tags: mountaineering, nepal, permits, rules, tims card, trekking | Leave A Comment »
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