Many teams are now passing through Namche Bazaar, the informal capital of the Khumbu. Teams spend three days there because it is about 12, sick 500′ and some people begin to feel the altitude for the first time.
Namche is a great place, cheap albeit a little noisy. In these modern times, they offer several internet cafes with a semi-fast connection at a reasonable price considering where it is!
The bakery is excellent offering hot drinks and fresh cooked goods throughout the day. There is a local club with a pool table. You can name brand climbing gear. I once bought a new Thermarest mattress for one that developed a leak in Namche – for the same price as in the US.
But before you think this is some version of Las Vegas, remember the “streets” are dirt and you share them with yaks and Zos. People pause to catch their breath as they walk the stone steps.
Russell Brice’s Himalaya Experience aka Himex posted their first update. Journalist Billi Bierling is writing the official Himex dispatches as she accompanies the team on their expedition. Billi summited Everest last year with Himex.
This first post is very well done and points out their strategy for 2010. Once again they will minimize trips through the Icefall by using trekking peaks for acclimatization. It is the Blog of the Day.
While the members are busy experiencing the colourful life of Kathmandu, Russell’s Sherpas are already working hard at base camp, which at an altitude of 5,350m, lies on the bottom of the Khumbu icefall. After having shopped for gear and food, 12 of Russell’s Sherpa team left Kathmandu on 15 March to prepare two base camps: the main one at Mount Everest and another one at Lobuje Peak, a 6,119m-high mountain, which the team will be climbing for acclimatisation purposes.
In other news, Phil Crampton of Altitude Junkies mentions in his latest dispatch that the Icefall Doctors are looking at a similar route to last years. You may recall that the route then was fairly close to the west shoulder of Everest and was hit by multiple avalanches. However, there are no reports at this time of a similar hanging serac on the shoulder like last year.
North side teams are now mentioning that they will be allowed to arrive at base camp on April 15th. Previous rumors had them allowed to cross the Nepal/Tibet boarder on April 10th. The reason for the delay is still unclear.
Finally in a fitting tribute, Sir Edmund Hillary’s ashes will be spread on Everest’s summit by Apa Sherpa with his Eco Everest Expedition. Asian Trekking sent this press release:
On behalf of The Himalayan Trust and Sherpa Community, Mr. Ang Rita Sherpa, Chairman of Himalayan Trust, Nepal, handed over ashes of Late Sir Edmund Hillary / a memento of Gautam Buddha to Mr. Apa Sherpa to be placed on the summit of Mt. Everest. He stated that it was the wish of Late Sir Edmund Hillary that his ashes be scattered only in two places; in the sea near his Auckland home, and in the mountains of Nepal where he tirelessly toiled and made huge personal sacrifices to uplift the lives of the mountain people. He further stated that it would be a tribute to such a great person if we could fulfill his wish and also prayed that may his soul rest in peace.
I think this is a fitting tribute especially for all he did after his summit for the people of Nepal.
Climb On!
Alan
One thought on “Teams Through Namache Bazaar”
This is to inform that the ashes of Sir Edmund Hillary taking towards Everest has been canceled.In Sherpa religion and culture Himalayas are regarded as the god therefore taking ashes to Himalaya is against the tradition.So there was a meeting with Apa sherpa and locals representative of Khumbu Civil society requesting him not to take Hillary ashes to Everest which he happily accepted.So in the mean time, the Khumbu Civil Society also made the resolution not to let others to make the Everest as a pubilicity tool.all the best for the climbers.take care
Nyima
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