Everest Expedition

October 5 2007

Well we have spent the last five days with our guide running around all the outdoor shops in Kathmandu (there are at last count more than 700 in Thamel alone) buying, renting, trying on various bits of gear ready for Sunday. The flights are booked, we have the permit and we are ready to go!

This "trek" is quite different to the last one we went on the main reason being that the company we used last time was a commercial climbing comany and so they organised the entire trip for us. We had not even tried on all the gear and tested whether it fit or not until the moment we left. This time we are not climbing with a company at all - rather we are going with a free-lance climbing guide and so it is not HIS responsibility to find our gear or make sure that it is in full working order it is OURS. And I can tell you that it is a massive responsibility if you dont have the right gear in any sport it can put you in danger I think probably never more so than when you are hanging off the side of a mountain!! So we have been fully involved in the entire process including planning our route (something that we had absolutely no say in on the last trek either), sorting out all of the camping equipment even food (god help us all if we have to cook!!), hiring porters etc. So that has been pretty exciting to see all of the work that goes into an expedition and also it puts a lot more responsibility on our shoulders and helpls us to learn all of this stuff much more easily.

Today we went to the climbing wall with Tendi (guide) so he could see what type of climbers we are (after Jon had been bigging us up for the past two weeks he saw the truth!!). It was actually a really nice day I managed to climb to the top of the wall something that has until now eluded me. Not because it is too hard (it is actually quite easy) but because for some reason I have developed a fear of heights.. well when I say some reason I am quite certain that it had something to do with seeing a little kid fall off the top because his partner was not belaying him properly (holding him on the rope for those of you who don't know the lingo) and possibly breaking his ankle. Not that Jon would ever do that (he would suffer more than me), but still it does make you think! So anyway today I managed to get on with it and climb to the top then I looked down and nearly fainted. But dont worry parents it's all perfectly safe!! ha ha

So I will be out of touch for one month but when I get back I will fully update you with lots of boring stories and photos.. Le Berb Mt Blanc sounds good for next year either we run up it or we can climb.. (or why not both!!!)
You can bring the wine I will bring the crampons.

Caroline xx