10 days in Nepal

I wrote this blurb for the BD Journal – so thought i’d post here as well…

I’ve been in Nepal for over 10 days now, too bad I can’t say the same for my four fifty pound duffels.  I’m here volunteering at the Khumbu Climbing Center – part of the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation (http://www.alexlowe.org/).  The goal of the Climbing School is to teach the locals who work or want to work in the mountains, how to work safely in the mountains.  This is the ninth year of the Khumbu Climbing Center and I’m truly honored to be included as one of the six Western Instruction Staff.

After a joyous 45 hour flight, where I picked up the funk, I arrived in Katmandu with three other Western Staff – Steve Mock, Mike Shaw and Jesse McGahey.  Unfortunately my bags didn’t make it.  I spent the next three days laid up in bed trying to recover and hoping my bags would show.  For some reason one bag showed – the one with my climbing gear… so that was good.  The guys had to head into the Khumbu while I waited one more day – no luck.  Finally it was time to go, but I needed to make a quick pit stop to the tourist district to buy some clothes.  Unfortunately they had limited selection, so I’m sporting some sweet women’s long underwear as I type this.

Pete Athans (another Western Instructor and all around bad ass) arrived so we headed into the Khumbu together.  With over 30 trips to Nepal (including seven Everest summits) under his belt, and being fluent in Nepali – I couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide – especially for a non world-traveler like myself.

A heart-in your-throat flight into Lukla, and three days of walking through Namche took us to the village of Phortse and the home of the Khumbu Climbing Center.  I couldn’t have felt much more lame, carrying my 15lb pack with camera gear as we passed porters carrying triple loads (91kg) – unbelievable.  To say the walk was spectacular would be quite the understatement.  I almost biffed it countless times as I was constantly staring up at Everest, Lhoste, Ama Dablam and Tawoche – unreal.

Two days into the hike we got word that another bag showed up in Katmandu – weird – but not my clothes – it was a duffel of donated gear for the school – still a small victory.  The final Western Instructor, Renny Jackson, would be arriving in a few days so he would be able to bring the retrieved gear with him…

We started off with a day long instructors seminar – talking about consistent technique and proper use of gear.  Yesterday we sorted through all of the School’s donated gear (some which was a bit worse for wear) and began registering the 66 students as they arrived for the 10 day Basic Class – the curriculum including knots, belaying, rock climbing, ice climbing ascending fixed ropes, rescue techniques, map and compass work, geology, wilderness first aid and English classes.  A  jam packed schedule for sure.

Word is a third duffel arrived today – once again – not my clothes – more gear for the school – but at least we’d be able to get it to Renny before he makes the trek…

This morning was the opening ceremony including the welcoming and blessings, and then it was straight to work – knots and basic belaying.  Soon we’ll hit the rock and ice.  Stay tuned for a second installment – maybe by then my final bag will be found and I’ll be in some clean clothes – that would be nice.

Out for now from the chilly Himalayas

KP

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