I was a bit nervous about today's trek due to my recent health issues and the fact our Sherpa told me most of it was really steep uphill climbing...oh and it was a 7-hour trek. However I woke up feeling great; strong, healthy and ready to take on the challenge.

The trek lived up to its reputation we did about an hour of downhill followed by about 6 glorious (did I say glorious? I meant torturous) hours of mountain climbing. Luckily the weather was great today which helped keep our spirits up. I just kept thinking one step at a time and trying not to look up to see how much further we had to go. It definitely helped keep me focused. Most of the day was filled with views of massive mountains like Amadablam, Lhotse, and Everest.

As I mentioned, the weather was great today but we can now definitely feel how much colder and, well, wickeder the weather is now. Nights are now officially "bloody cold" and days range from wearing long-sleeve t-shirts to a thick fleece even in the sun.

I probably haven't mentioned this but since we flew into Lukla on Day 1 of the trek we haven't seen one motor vehicle. Some of you might expect this but really there are absolutely no motor vehicles of any kind even to transport heavy goods or for emergencies. There are only mountain paths connecting little villages to each other. These started hundreds of years ago so that the villagers could trade goods between each other. The same paths are still being used today and many of the ones we tourist Trekkers use have been improved somewhat but they are still pretty basic. We have seen an injured hiker, an Aussie guy who looked about 6 ft 2 in a basket on the back of a Sherpa being carried back to Lukla where he can be flown to Kathmandu for medical help!

So we are now at 3985m in a village called Pangboche where we will stay tonight and tomorrow night. In the morning we are going to trek to Amadablam Base Camp which is 4500m then descending back down to Pangboche at 3985m. We are going to do what they say is the best way to cope with increases in altitude which is "climb high, sleep low". We are starting to get some serious altitude so I will need to really monitor my body to see how it adapts. The Diamox seems to be working and helping my body adapt to the altitude which is great news, but so are the side effects - I keep getting some intense tingles like pins and needles in my hands and feet, and I am peeing constantly (I am so sure you wanted to know that!!)

And on that wonderful note I think I will leave you until tomorrow. Ciao!