Everest 2009

Lukla

Group B (Ahmed and Al) have just completed the last day of their walk and are now safely in Lukla. We have a flight early tomorrow morning to Kathmandu, but no plans on when we return to India for our journey back to Male.

Everest 2009

Namche Bazaar

Lots have happened, Narcu developed knee problems after the Kala Pattar ascent and left; Ahmed and I carried on to cross the Cho La pass, climb Gokyo Ri and are now back in Namche on our way down to Lukla, from where we'll fly to Kathmandu. Narcu should be on the train to Trivandrum now and will probably be back in Male long before us. Ahmed and I had a great trek, the weather cleared, the pass was exhausting but worth it. Sadly we didn't take any photos, so none to upload, but all has been captured on hi-def video. Hopefully we'll be able to show a preview to all friends, family and supporters in Male.

Everest 2009

19 November: From Gorak Shep

Everyone summitted Kala Pattar (5,600 metres) yesterday afternoon, and is in relatively good health despite minor symptoms of altitude sickness.

"I must say it hasn't been the easiest of walks up to the summit of Kala Pattar, but the stunning views were worth the two months training and the cold chilly winds, the icy slippery path, the subsequent falls, the endless uphill climbs, the sleepness nights fighting for an ounce of extra oxygen." Narcu

Al has had minor headaches for two nights, Ahmed had a severe headache going up Kala Pattar, Narcu developed a headache coming down and exacerbated the muscle pull around his knee. However everyone is in good spirits and enjoying the extraordinary mountain views and food.

"Yesterday was the toughest climb up Kala Pattar because of unprecedented snow, ice, and blistering winds. We climbed after a gruelling walk from Lobuche to Gorak Shep and sumitted around 4pm. Part of the descent was therefore in the dark, maybe not a risk we should have taken. But we're glad to have done it." Al

Everest 2009

11 November

On the way down we met a three times Everester, Mingmar Sherpa.

Everest 2009

11 November

Mountain views accompanied us all the way.

Everest 2009

11 November

The classic view from the Everest View Hotel. Although we could see Ama Dablam (the mountain on the right), cloud cover prevented us from seeing Mount Everest.

When Ahmed woke up his headache was gone, so everyone had a good climb up to the hotel.

Everest 2009

11 November

On this acclimatisation day in Namche, we took a day trip up to the Everest View Hotel. The view on the way was stunning, showing the valley we trekked up from.

Everest 2009

9 November
Namche, at 3,600 metres, is a necessary acclimatisation stop. At this altitude, the air contains only two-thirds of oxygen at sea-level. Ahmed and Narcu said the final climb to Namche, a steep 2 hour climb, was the toughest thing they'd ever done in their lives.

All are well but Ahmed has developed a headache, so we might stay in Namche until he's recovered to carry out the next leg of the trek.

Namche gets very, very cold at night but the views are spectacular.

Everest 2009

9 November

The second day of the trek, and a tough climb up to Namche ahead. A day of steep ascents and crossing of wobbly suspension bridges.

Everest 2009

8 November
The first day offers the most in terms of colours. Another pic by Narcu, who's taking most of the photos.

"Although I've done this trek 3 times before, this is the best first day of the trek so far." Al

Everest 2009

8 November
On the way to Phakding, Narcu clicks the landscape and people.

Everest 2009

8 November
Narcu and Ahmed are greeted with brilliant clear weather and stunning mountainscape on the start of the trek.

Everest 2009

8 November
On the flight to Lukla.

Everest 2009

7 NOVEMBER

We're packed and ready for the trek; flying out at 6.45 am tomorrow. We start the walk tomorrow, as soon as we've had some breakfast. We will be unable to post anything more until the 9th, when we hope to be in Namche Bazaar, the centre of Sherpa country.

Everest 2009

6 NOVEMBER
Every day we try to go up the Helena's, which claims to be the highest rooftop cafe in Kathmandu, more for the view than the food. On the trail we won't have the culinary choices on offer in Kathmandu, so we do try different places and food here.

We've got seats on a flight to Lukla on the morning of 8 November. From Lukla, we start the trek, which should take us 24 days and take us to the foot of Mount Everest and surrounding Himalayan giants.

Someone at our hotel said Gayoom had been Maldives president since he was a little kid and he was glad that the we now had a new president. "I don't like dictators", he told us. A lot of the Nepalis have heard of Gayoom and seem pleasantly surprised that he's no longer in power.

A guy at the Nepali tourist promotion board said his country's cabinet was taking cue from the Maldives and planning to hold a meeting on Mount Everest to draw the world's attention to global warming.

Everest 2009

6 NOVEMBER
After a visit to Durbar Square, we extended visas and started shopping for gear for our trek. Too bad Shanoo and the Gongaboo doctors were not there to assist us.

Everest 2009

6 NOVEMBER

The day started in Durbar Square, where filming began in earnest. All are healthy and acclimatised to Kathmandu, which is at 1400 metres.

Everest 2009

6 NOVEMBER
"Kathmandu, a city with a lot of hustle and bustle but a lot of character." Narcu

Everest 2009

4 NOVEMBER

The Indian immigration was surprisingly easy on us and we crossed into Nepal without incident. Sadly, Nepal has changed its rules and we only got a free visa for one month.

Everest 2009

4 NOVEMBER

Ahmed Shafeeu poses with a car.

Everest 2009

4 NOVEMBER
Tea break as we as Nepal draws ever so close.

Everest 2009

4 NOVEMBER

The sun rises over the mist on the way to Sanauli, which borders India and Nepal.

Everest 2009

3 OCTOBER

Ahmed Shafeeu without makeup in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on the eve of the border crossing.

Everest 2009

2 NOVEMBER 2009

As India flashes past, you realise how each state has its own landscapes and colours.

Everest 2009: Train journey

2 NOVEMBER 2009

"The toilet is not the most pleasant place in the train, but you can't avoid it. You never know the sight you can expect to see." Narcu

Everest 2009: Raptisagar Super Fast Express

1 NOVEMBER 2009

It took 60 hours to travel 3,500 kilometres from Trivandrum in Kerala to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Everest 2009

HULHULE, 31 OCTOBER

"This is not a spiritual journey, or one to try to find myself in the cold wintry Himalaya. I really don't want to lay such importance or make it look like this is a journey that one should do if they want to find a deeper meaning in their life.

I'm going just to have a good time, and to test myself against the challenges that will be posed by the climate and the environment." Narcu