For those of you that know me, you know I am NOT a risk taker. I don't bungie jump, nor leap out of perfectly good airplanes simply hoping a thin layer of material slows my plummet. But I do take risks in building new relationships with strangers, and in job roles. Each and every new job opportunity that had me thinking " I've never done that before, but I believe I can do it" caused me to say "yes". ( Caveat here: no one has ever asked me to perform brain surgery, and I would have said no.) The times people have asked me to do thing far outside my skillset, it has been a clear " no " and a referral to someone I thought might be qualified.
But that's not even why I wanted to talk about today, I wanted to talk about saying "yes" to an adventure.
I've been enjoying semi-retirement over the past 15 months, reading, hiking, going to the lake, working as a strategic advisor for a client or two, and mostly spending each morning volunteering for the local Habitat for Humanity. Well, a few weeks back on the job site, one of the volunteers named Dave asked me a question. He said he had his #1 bucket list trip planned. He had made all the arrangements, and wanted to know if I'd like to go with him. ( Dave and I have been volunteering together for about a year now, but other than that we don't know each other)
Without pause, I said " Yes. 100%. I'm committed to go. Sign me up." where he replied "Great!" and my next question followed shortly... " Dave, where are we going??"
3 days later I find myself booking a trekking excursion in the Himalayas. Truthfully I am so geographically challenged I wasn't sure even what country I was going to until I booked flights the next day. I don't feel so bad at not knowing geography, because when I told my neighbor about a trip to Nepal, he had to tell me how wrong his wife was because she thought Nepal was in Italy. He said he corrected her, that she was wrong and Nepal was an island... somewhere.(also wrong) Nepal is a small country sandwiched between India on its southern border and Tibet to it's North. For reference here is a map
Well, that was 3 weeks ago, and I depart for my adventure Thursday April 13th ( 2 days from writing this post)
Since booking, let's just say that Amazon has made many deliveries to my home, as I prepare for the adventure ahead. I've also spent more time outdoors hiking our modest hills in Hot Springs National Park, which are of no significance to the 17,575 Gokyo-Ri
Here is a panorama atop Gokyo-Ri. (I'm imagining me standing where this person is in the photo)
 |
| Photo by: By Boy.pockets - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12315006 |
Even though I fly out on Thursday April 13th, I don't get to Katmandu until sometime on Saturday April 15th. Once I get there here is the itinerary from the sherpa company:
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu (1400 meters)
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport after completing your custom formalities Visa, etc. pick up your luggage and look for our airport representative from Himalaya Discovery Adventures, who will display your name on the board at the arrival gate. You will be greeted by our representative and transferred to the hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2 Free in Kathmandu for sightseeing and pre trip briefing and gear check.
Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old city where the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving is located. The whole area is a maze of temples and images. Leading away from the square in all directions are narrow alleys, full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ Swayambhunath and Buddhists shrine Buddhanath which is one of the largest Stupas in the world.
There will also be a full trip briefing today with gear check. In case you need to hire or buy equipment locally there will be time to do this today. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3 Fly to Lukla from Manthali, and then trek to Phakding (2651 m)
Everest Base Camp trek begins on the second day with a scenic flight from Manthali airport to Lukla Tenzing Hillary airport (2,804 m).
Upon arrival at Lukla, you will meet our porters who will be carrying your bags. The Everest Base Camp hike starts after a short glimpse of the village of Lukla, where you will pass the village of Chaurikharka and then descend towards Dudh Koshi and Ghat. From there, you follow the trails to Phakding via the bank of the Dudh Koshi river and stay overnight at Phakding.
Manthali airport can be reached by road from Kathmandu within 4 to 6 hours drive. This means you need to wake up early in the morning around 2:30 am to take a drive and catch your Lukla flight from Manthali early in the morning. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 4 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 meters) 5.30 hrs
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudhkosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Everest National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar known as the Gateway to Everest which is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, Money exchange, internet cafe and a bakery. Namche is one of the biggest villages along the whole Everest trail. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 5 Acclimatization day.
We will spend a day here in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning of the air. A short trek to a museum celebrating the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. Today, we hike up the Syangboche Airport, and around Everest View Hotel. From this point, we have rewarding views of the Himalayas with a stunning sunrise or sunset over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 6 Trek to Phorste Thanga (3680 meters) 5 hrs.
Today, the trail climbs steeply out of valley through rhododendron forest, juniper and large conifers start to appear as the elevation increases making trekking beautiful in spring. The trail passes through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements. The views of Ama Dablam, Khumbi La and Tawache are magnificent throughout the day. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 7 Trek to Machhermo (4150 meters) 5 hrs.
The trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kengtega and up towards Cho Oyu and descend to a river and again climbs steep to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpz glacier. We will reach at Machherma by early noon. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 8 Trek to Gokyo (4790 meters) 5.30 hrs.
Today the trek takes us at one of our final destination, Gokyo (4790m). We will make this camp our base for 2 nights as we will have couple of hiking and sightseeing trips around Gokyo. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 9 Hike up to Gokyo Ri (5483 meters) then back to Gokyo. 5 hrs.
Today, early in the morning we have steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri at elevation of 5483 meters, ample rewards to anyone that attempts this trip. There are stunning views of the supper Gokyo Valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, such as giants as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang can be seen.
Those who discover the glacier and Gokyo peak are rewarded. This day we have for acclimatization and after noon back to the camp. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 10 Trek to Dole (4200 meters) 6 hrs.
Following same trail down, we will make our descent to Dole. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 11 Trek to Namche Bazaar via Khumjung village (3780 meters) 5 hrs.
Descend to Namche Bazaar via typical Sherpa village of Khumjung. Leaving the mountains behind us our descent continues back to the town of Namche Bazaar at elevation of (3440 meters). Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 12 Trek to Lukla (2886 meters) 6 hrs.
Finally, we return to Lukla where the trek started, which will seem like a lifetime ago. Enjoying time to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. Also giving you time to discover the town. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 13 Fly back to Kathmandu.
Enjoying your last glimpse of the mountains you have recently visited for one last time on the 35 minute Scenic flight back to Kathmandu. You can rest and relax throughout the day. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 14 Free day / Fly to home.
It’s also spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla. If you get interested to take some gifts from Nepal for friends and relatives, visit to some nearby shops or go out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 15 Fly to home.
The trip concludes! We will drop you to the airport according to your flight schedule.
And, in preparation, I have read "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer which is a tale of a fateful disaster trip summiting Mt. Everest. I'm not going up to Mt Everest, but I'll be in the same valley and have an excellent view of Everest. Also Gokyo-Ri is about the same altitude as the Everest base camp. It may seem weird to some, but the book is excellent and is teaching me a lot about the Nepal people, the sherpa culture and what NOT to do!
I am beyond excited saying yes to this adventure.
Now, let's hope my legs and lungs take me where I want to go! I'll try my best to take enough photos to share when I return.
__________________________________________________________
If you want to read a bit more about the trip we have booked, and the sherpa company, here is the link to Himalaya Discovery Adventures description of our trip.
