Day 12
Yesterday I made it to Everest Base Camp which was amazing and exhausting. Last night it was -21 outside and not much warmer inside, even the yaks were cold. I slept well even though I was freezing, I put everything I had on that was dry to stay as warm as possible. After what felt like forever I slept. I woke after about 8 hours which was amazing as I felt much better for some great sleep. Looking outside it was less cold but snow and a challenging day ahead.
An early start as the weather looked mixed, Nepalese for cold and difficult particularly at the start. Breakfast was limited and the group was cold, and suffering from various degrees of altitude symptoms along with been fatigued from the day before. My O2 levels were 77% last night and today were 80% which was a good score for an altitude of 5200m.
What a difference a day makes, yesterday reaching base camp, today already on a fast descent. An hour after we started trekking the weather improved and we did our last suspension bridge at 5000m. All downhill from here Nepalese Style. As you descend you feel better with breathing, but the impact on your legs is hard as you are always slowing yourself down.
We reached Pheriche in a good time as the weather has improved and we all started functioning better as less cold. We had 2 hours till dinner I just crashed in my room. Post dinner it was much warmer at -14 degrees and everyone was feeling better and we all reflected on the previous couple of days.
Day 13
What a difference a rest, been warm and a good nights sleep make. I feel great today and the trek is steep but short about 3.5 hours downhill and I am flying. Obviously the last 45 minutes is straight up, not only up but 45 minutes of stairs. We are heading to the monastery at Tengboche, this where Edmund Hillary went with Tenzin to meditate for a week pre summiting Everest. All the Sherpas that are summiting Everest go here to meditate and get blessed by the monks before setting out on an climb of Everest. After our stair workout with young monks running past us with ease we arrive at our tea house for lunch
After our stair workout with young monks running past us with ease we arrive at our tea house for lunch. This is opposite the Tengboche Monastery and will be our home for the night.
Pizza was recommended as the monks make the bread and dough for the pizza. It was great to have some different food. I had a second pizza as it was so nice. Would also have pizza for dinner along with a club sandwich.
After some rest and a change of clothes we had the privilege of a tour of the monastery which was cool. We learnt more about Budism and were alouded to take part in a meditation with some of the monks and sherpas. I felt this as a great honour and took much peace from the experience. The focus was to to do each task well and be disciplined and present. By practicing to do all your tasks well, it helps with concentration and focus on the task. The goal is to be present for the experience with everything so time which is precious is used wisly.
Limited pictures were allowed but some are below. Great shift in the trek and slept well for the following day.
Day 14
Felt great for some of the best rest I have had on the trip and some different food. Early breakfast before the hardest day of trekking downhill. We are doing two days of uphill trekking in one day downhill. It is easier on the breathing going downhill, but will be around 10 hours of walking.
Lunch was in Namche Bazaar at the same tea house we stayed in for two nights. The weather was completely different as warm and clear rather than cloudy and snowing a different vibe. The first part of the day was 90mins walking downhill and 90 minutes up hill before a couple of hours down hill.
Conversation over lunch was all about the afternoon.
This afternoon would be a million steps down to the Hilary bridge then a hard trek to the teahouse at Chumo.
As anticipated the trek to the bridge was hard on the lower body and we all needed a rest at the bridge. Crossing the bridge seemed more significant as it had been so prominent at the start of the trek. After the bridge the trek to Chumo was less severe and we all chatted extensively. The Tea house in Chumo was lovely and welcoming with some creature comforts like diverse food and a shower option.
Day 15
Last Day of trekking today feels a bit strange as the process and shared experiences are coming to an end. Chumo is 3000m lower than Everest Base Camp and any altitude issues are gone and we all have high oxygen levels. I was excited about finishing today as the accumulated trekking days had taken left me tired and wanting some extended rest.
Trekking was relaxed and the walking lovely with great weather and views. we had an extended lunch before getting to Luklia for our last night in a tea house.
As we enter Luklia and leave the national park and see one of our guides houses where we are asked to have a drink and relax. This is typical of the Nepalese people we interacted with and the masala tea I was dinking has made me a convert at home. The house was basic and a stark contrast to what we all have at home. His Family were unbelievably welcoming and I personally felt very humbled and an experience I will never forget.
Luklia allowed for a shower change and relax. This meant after our dinner we went out and drank and celebrated in the Irish and Scottish bars in the town before sleeping for the night.
Day 16
Sore head today as a result of a great night out. 6am wake up as need to get packed and ready to go to the airport for first flight to Kathmandu. The flight will land at a different airport and have a 5 hour coach journey to Kathmandu as the tourist season is in full flow.
The view out of the tea house said otherwise!
Blanket cloud no flights for a few hours. Breakfast it is then and coffee, lots of coffee!
This few hour wait yielded an unexpected surprise as when we were able to get our flight it was straight to Kathmandu rather than a coach journey, result.
Back at the hotel I had a very long shower. Then a sleep and another very long shower to get all the grime of two weeks trekking out of the system. We had a dinner at a great steakhouse in Kathmandu as a farewell meal as people were flying home the following day
Day 17
I sleep in as today I have an extra day in Kathmandu and I go to the Monkey Temple. The experience is nuts as loads of monkeys running around. The steps up to the temple are 365 and steep, it is Nepal. Very Vibrant place and key images are in the video on the left.
The intensity and reverence of the place is hard to convey as on the one hand it like the rest of Kathmandu is Chaotic. On the other hand its serious and very religious with people praying and carrying out religious practice. Probably sums up Kathmandu.
I walk back to Thammel from here and the streets are packed like a riot is going on with noise and people. Just a normal day away from the tourist area with loads of street traders selling food and goods to locals. I did not see and supermarkets of any kind or size and people buy herbs and spice form a small shop, coffee and tea from another, fruit from another etc. All the food I had in Nepal was cooked fresh to order, people who live there shop daily for what they need as have limited storage. Everyone appeared to know everyone and conversation was loud and intense, something we have lost in the U.K.
Walking through all of the shopping areas I bought only a few gifts as the experience and been present was the point of the trip experience and journey. All the little gifts I bought were from a Charity that helps Nepalese people and is certified genuine, Nepal has lots of imitation, and wanted to help in some small way
Food for the day was very much like home with a nepalese twist. Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner had a total cost of 19 pounds which is nuts thats with 2 hot drinks with each meal.
I am still baffled how there economy works with the cost of everything so little and the products so good.
A taxi ride was only 4 pounds for 20 minute journey, the fuel cost must be so low.
Day 18
Getting ready to go home have a flight tonight and it will be longer due to the issues, and Kathmandu Airport is slow to progress through security so have to get there early. I am pleased to be going home, but I know I will miss Nepal, the wonder of the mountains and the harsh environment. The craziness of Kathmandu and the towns and cities with its somehow organised chaos, but most of all I will miss the people.
My dazed and confused look on the flight home. Long haul does that to you along with 5 security checks in Kathmandu, and 3 in Delhi, anyone would think there is a conflict on. The flight from Delhi was long as we had it extended for the safe route so 14 hours.
I brought my note book so I made some reflections on what I wanted to do with my life moving forward. I definitely want more experiences like the one I just had. I want to spend more time outside in nature and mountains. I also want to have some more flexibility with my time.
In my business I am limited by the number of people I can help.
Number 1 thing to do is finish my book on Plantar Fasciitis and publish it and then promote it to start this process of helping lots more people
Number 2 is to set up a system of support with a online programme and community to help everyone with plantar fasciitis recover quickly, to help reinforce the positive book.
Number 3 is to have a bigger clinic so I can help people more effectively recover from their issues. This will allow me to help more face to face along with increasing numbers online.
I am as with Everest Base Camp setting a tight time line for achievement. 9 weeks last time so 9 weeks this time. In 63 Days I am going to have a large online community benefiting and recovering from Plantar Fasciitis with the support on my Book, online course and community. The clinic will be researching more diverse treatment methods and refining recovery protocols, to enhance current processes.
In short a very focused development of plantar fasciitis treatment, to help as many people as possible in 63 days.
If you would like to find out more about my successful plantar fasciitis treatment at Energy Medicine you can book a conversation below to find out more.