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 »
Kathmandu is heating up and so does the project planning. Only one month to go and still a lot needs to be arranged! According to the latest schedule, a group of 20 sherpas will head to Lukla at April 25th, to arrive at the BC 6 days later. All load will be dropped directly at the BC by 2 helicopters; one of the so welcome received sponsorships from the Nepali Army. Apart from making the logistics much more easy and transparant (just think of all those Kgs to be transported by porters… and how much dahl and baht that requires ), it will definately serve as a major project kick off. Imagine those circulating black hawks above the BC releasing material for 5 camps, 25 expedition members and 40 expedition days…
But that’s for later; what about these days?
Namgyal and Chakra are still flattening the profile of their tires to reach as many sponsors as possible. Still half of the budget needs to be covered by sponsorships. Different parties have been reached, resulting in many positive responses. So, time to transform these promising reactions into clear Rupees!
Last week the whole sherpa group joined a 3 days rock climbing course. Just as a refreshment, since this expedition will ask for other techniques than ‘routine’expeditions (can we still talk about ‘routine’ though, operating above 8000m???!). Guiding Western folks up and down the mountain demands for other capacities (YES, when there would be a price for patience, climbing sherpas would be nominated for sure!) than performing breath taking acrobatic moves to get every piece of garbage out crevasses, as an example.
Furthermore, material preps have been started. Sponsor T-shirts have been designed, several tailors are running their sewing machines full time to finish in time the required kit bags, down suits, sleeping bags and any other personal stuff that contains stiches. Oxygen supply has been ordered, permits are pending and insurances are covered (thanks to again a valuable sponsor).
Have you always been curious about the logistics behind a professional expedition…? Monitor this blog carefully; a lot will happen in the coming weeks…!
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March 23, 2010 | Categories: Everest Cleaning Expedition 2010 | Tags: base camp, charity, namgyal sherpa, preperation | Leave A Comment »
Kathmandu is heating up and so does the project planning. Only one month to go and still a lot needs to be arranged! According to the latest schedule, a group of 20 sherpas will head to Lukla at April 25th, to arrive at the BC 6 days later. All load will be dropped directly at the BC by 2 helicopters; one of the so welcome received sponsorships from the Nepali Army. Apart from making the logistics much more easy and transparant (just think of all those Kgs to be transported by porters… and how much dahl and baht that requires 
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Eveline Wessels
