I've been a bit unsure about which challenge to undertake in 2014 and at this stage I feel I may not be able to tick any major item off my Bucket List. Maybe the Great White Shark in the Autumn : )
On a more positive note I have decided I would like to make my way to Everest Base Camp in the Spring of 2015. This has given me a new focus and the incentive I need to get back into training. I am really excited about this amazing trek in Nepal.
So far I have only been in touch with a couple of companies who organise the EBC Trek. I am awaiting details but in the meantime I will engage with my old (not so old) reliable (well mostly reliable) friend, Google to learn more about the trek, the terrain, duration, best time to go etc. Although I would like to go in April 2015.
March 6th 2015: All sorted and getting ready for EBC
After a bit of a false start trying to secure a place with one of the popular organisers in Ireland I finally got a place with Ian Taylor's group heading out on April 3rd 2015. (Thanks Aileen)
Talking about false starts, I have had so many when it comes to getting into shape for the trip to Everest Base Camp. With just four weeks to setting off I did get serious this week and went to the gym four out of the five days this week so far. I am pleased with the level of fitness I managed to maintain but have no idea how that happened. Someone mentioned muscle memory but I doubt my muscles can remember that far back. Anyway, the important point is I have started back and I am feeling good.
I plan to get out on the mountains after this weekend for two days in a row to see how the body holds out with a bit of weight on my back. I've had some backache recently and hope this will pass once I drop a bit of weight and get fitter. If there is no improvement in the next week I will seek help.
I went to the doctor and got my vaccines and prescriptions for everything I am likely to need including Diamox and Malarone. I don't like taking medication but I will not take any chances either with Malaria or Acute Altitude sickness.
Talking about false starts, I have had so many when it comes to getting into shape for the trip to Everest Base Camp. With just four weeks to setting off I did get serious this week and went to the gym four out of the five days this week so far. I am pleased with the level of fitness I managed to maintain but have no idea how that happened. Someone mentioned muscle memory but I doubt my muscles can remember that far back. Anyway, the important point is I have started back and I am feeling good.
I plan to get out on the mountains after this weekend for two days in a row to see how the body holds out with a bit of weight on my back. I've had some backache recently and hope this will pass once I drop a bit of weight and get fitter. If there is no improvement in the next week I will seek help.
I went to the doctor and got my vaccines and prescriptions for everything I am likely to need including Diamox and Malarone. I don't like taking medication but I will not take any chances either with Malaria or Acute Altitude sickness.
A little over two weeks before I leave for EBCT
My training is progressing well. I'm surprised at how my fitness is returning so quickly. Last week I set off up the hills around Glendalough and yesterday, St Patrick's Day, I went up to Carlingford with a great group, including Ger, Cameron, Hugh, Julie, Antoinette and Aileen. We had a lovely walk to the summit of Slieve Foye before returning to Carlingford for Lunch and big fat cake : ) Well, we earned it.
Back in the gym today and now chilling : ). Looking over photos from yesterday. As you may have noticed I am not a regular user of a hat. I was going for the Smurf look.
Back in the gym today and now chilling : ). Looking over photos from yesterday. As you may have noticed I am not a regular user of a hat. I was going for the Smurf look.
Met with Ian Taylor this evening
I met Ian Taylor and the people from the Tropical Medical Bureau at their premises on Grafton Street this evening. Aileen was also there and we had the opportunity to ask all the last minute questions about the trip to EBC.
Probably the best result for me tonight is the fact that they do not see the need for Diamox or Malarone. I don't like taking medication unless it's absolutely necessary so this was good news. Ian went through the trek, the various stages, acclimatisation and how he minimises the risk of Acute Altitude Sickness by taking extra days on the ascent to allow the body to adjust to the altitude.
He spoke about the trip to and from Lukla Airport and how standards have improved in recent years thus reducing the number of crashes. The pilots use sight as opposed to instruments to navigate their way through the Himalayas and into the short runway at Lukla. This airport has been labelled No. 1 Most Extreme and Dangerous Airport in the World. That in itself can give you a rush not to mention the thrill of walking to the base camp in 9 days and making the return trek in 3 days.
Back in the gym tomorrow to increase stamina and push ahead with more interval training. Making progress each day. My excitement level has reached new heights after this evening.
Ian also spoke about his treks to Kilimanjaro for the benefit of another person there today. It made me think again about returning there in the coming years to finish what I started in December 2012 but ended in tragedy on January 2nd. 2013. I think I have to go back..............
Video compiled by Randall Liles and shared Feb 26th 2018: https://youtu.be/9LamqUQW0nA
Video compiled by Randall Liles and shared Feb 26th 2018: https://youtu.be/9LamqUQW0nA
Getting to Nepal
April 3rd. 2015: Getting to Nepal
First task is to sort out all the gear I need for the trip, then chuck half it back into the press. While the weight allowance on the international flights is about 30kgs there are limits on (a) the internal flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and the return trip. I also have to consider the sherpas as they will have to carry most of the weight while I carry everything I need for each day. This vary depending on weather, distance etc.
I went into town yesterday (April 2nd. ) to purchase a device to facilitate carrying my camera on my chest while minimising the weight on my shoulders. I could not find anything that suited me or that would coexist with my backpack. So, back home I went to try a devise something. I created a gadget that attaches to the straps of my backpack thus removing the necessity to have it around my neck. With a few hours to spare before departing I brought the straps to a boot maker and outlined where I needed him to stitch it up. He didn't even charge me. Came home and attached it to the backpack. It has quick release clips to allow me take shots with ease while one side is still secured to my pack.
Gear sorted by 3:30am. My gear bag weights 17.5 kgs and my backpack for the flight is 5Kgs. Off to bed now to try and get a few hours sleep ZZZZZZzzzzzzz......
Brenda called me from San Francisco at 7am. While I was delighted to hear from her I would have liked another hour or two in my leaba (bed).
John decides to capture a couple of photos as I prepare to leave the house
Off to the Airport, checked in Gear Bag, went through security and into the lounge in Terminal 2. I met Ian there with Ronan, Viktor, Paul and John. We were then joined by Lisa, Catriona and finally Aileen.
The flight from Dublin to Abu Dhabi was half empty so many people moved to the empty spaces once the plane had levelled off. They lay across the four middle seats and slept most of the way. I had a window seat and a spare space beside me. Still I did not sleep, no surprise there. Aileen and I had an eight hour stopover in Abu Dhabi before our flight to Kathmandu.
We arrived at our hotel in Kathmandu just as the rest of the team we coming back from dinner. So, Aileen, John and myself took a short stroll down the narrow street and located a small restaurant where we enjoyed omelet and chips. Conscious that we had a early start the next morning we went straight back to the hotel to grab a few hours sleep.
The International Guest House is just one minute from the busy Thamel district of Kathmandu. Her you will find busy narrow street with restaurants, bars, shops etc. I will cover Kathmandu later in this blog.
First task is to sort out all the gear I need for the trip, then chuck half it back into the press. While the weight allowance on the international flights is about 30kgs there are limits on (a) the internal flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and the return trip. I also have to consider the sherpas as they will have to carry most of the weight while I carry everything I need for each day. This vary depending on weather, distance etc.
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| I took over a spare room at home to start sorting all my gear for the trip. |
Gear sorted by 3:30am. My gear bag weights 17.5 kgs and my backpack for the flight is 5Kgs. Off to bed now to try and get a few hours sleep ZZZZZZzzzzzzz......
Brenda called me from San Francisco at 7am. While I was delighted to hear from her I would have liked another hour or two in my leaba (bed).
John decides to capture a couple of photos as I prepare to leave the house
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| Not posed, I promise. John snapped this photo as I was leaving the house. Why was he not taking some of the baggage? |
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| L to R, Ian, Ronan, Caitriona, Lisa and Aileen |
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| Leaving the green fields of Ireland behind |
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| Coming in to land at Abu Dhabi Airport |
The International Guest House is just one minute from the busy Thamel district of Kathmandu. Her you will find busy narrow street with restaurants, bars, shops etc. I will cover Kathmandu later in this blog.
Lukla Airport - what's all the fuss about!!
Up at 4am for transfer to airport and flight to Lukla.
I have been looking forward to this flight since I first read about it. Go on-line and see all the hype about the trip to the No. 1 most Dangerous Airport in the World. Nothing like a bit of a thrill to get this adventure off to a great start. (have a look at this YouTube video Lukla Airport )
This tiny plane came complete with our own air hostess. After being crammed into our seats she gave each of us a sweet to suck and two cotton wool balls. Looks like this going to be a noisy flight too.
Here we go...
We fly above and through the mountains to reach Tenzing-Hilllary airport in Lukla. I am told the pilots use sight as opposed to instruments to navigate their way into the airport.
Apart from some minor turbulence our flight went off without incident with a perfect landing and docking.
Only half our team got on the first flight. We moved from the airport to a small restaurant where we enjoyed our breakfast and waited for the remainder of our group to join us.
You Must Haggle
(but please make sure they make a profit : ) )
I took a short stroll into a nearby street to purchase a map showing the trail to Everest Base Camp. I was unaware the young girl was actually haggling with me about the price. This is what they expect. She clearly thought I was demented or suffering from the effect of being at 2800mts. She kept bringing the price down. As my hearing is slightly impaired I did not always hear what she was saying so she picked up a calculator and entered the amount she wanted. As I fumbled with my notes she presented me with a lower number. And so it went without me ever objecting to the price. I also purchased some bottled water for this first day on the mountains.
When I rejoined the group I told them what I paid for the map. It was a small fraction of what others had paid after haggling. I could not claim any credit for being a good haggler as this was a very one sided event. I just hope she still made a profit, I'm sure she did.
On the issue of water, I had taken sterilising tablets with me but in the end decided I would purchase bottled water each day instead. We had been warned that it would get more expensive the higher up the mountains we went. This is completely understandable as everything has to be carried up the mountains on yaks or manually by the locals. They are a relatively small people but yet they can carry weights greater than I could lift, just amazing.
Eventually the rest of our trekking group arrive. We all meet the trek staff and porters who will assist us for the rest of our journey to Base Camp and back. While the second part of our team get some food our bags are loaded up to be transferred to our destination for day 1. At this point there was some uncertainty because of the late arrival of the second half of our group.
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| A beautiful early morning for our flight to Lukla |
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| This is our plane - Looks OK? - Baggage crammed into every available space. |
Here we go...
We fly above and through the mountains to reach Tenzing-Hilllary airport in Lukla. I am told the pilots use sight as opposed to instruments to navigate their way into the airport.
Apart from some minor turbulence our flight went off without incident with a perfect landing and docking.
Only half our team got on the first flight. We moved from the airport to a small restaurant where we enjoyed our breakfast and waited for the remainder of our group to join us.You Must Haggle
(but please make sure they make a profit : ) )
I took a short stroll into a nearby street to purchase a map showing the trail to Everest Base Camp. I was unaware the young girl was actually haggling with me about the price. This is what they expect. She clearly thought I was demented or suffering from the effect of being at 2800mts. She kept bringing the price down. As my hearing is slightly impaired I did not always hear what she was saying so she picked up a calculator and entered the amount she wanted. As I fumbled with my notes she presented me with a lower number. And so it went without me ever objecting to the price. I also purchased some bottled water for this first day on the mountains.
When I rejoined the group I told them what I paid for the map. It was a small fraction of what others had paid after haggling. I could not claim any credit for being a good haggler as this was a very one sided event. I just hope she still made a profit, I'm sure she did.
On the issue of water, I had taken sterilising tablets with me but in the end decided I would purchase bottled water each day instead. We had been warned that it would get more expensive the higher up the mountains we went. This is completely understandable as everything has to be carried up the mountains on yaks or manually by the locals. They are a relatively small people but yet they can carry weights greater than I could lift, just amazing.
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| The rest of our group arrive |
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