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Wow, what a difference a day makes. I woke up this morning feeling strong and I think the altitude sickness is virtually gone now.
Today's trek is to Tashinga which is only at about 150m higher than Namche Bazaar. It's perfect for me as it's an easy 4-hour hiking day and our destination is at pretty much the same altitude as Namche so I will have been at that same altitude for 3 full days. This should be exactly what the doctor ordered allowing for the most possible acclimatisation time.
The trek today was my favourite so far as I could actually enjoy myself. The other days I was just trying to make it through the day and didn't have enough energy to laugh, talk, or enjoy the scenery. Today I had a good chance to take lots of pictures, just stop and soak up the beauty, and today we got the first proper views of Everest and her giant neighbours. All of the mountains in this area are seriously impressive and sky-high.
Owen is doing fine but he has started to feel a bit tired I think. Not to the degree that I was but still less than optimal. Of course he did do the optional day trek yesterday while I only did a short 2-hour trek. Therein lies the difference. There's a moral to this story , laziness is best! Haha.
I'm finding mountain weather petty rough. I didnt think it would be like a Sunday afternoon in Hyde Park, but the weather changes so fast it's like t-shirt weather one minute, then it gets cold so it's fleece on, then it's hot again so it's fleece off. Each time the backpack comes off, then on, then off, then on! I mean we've been really lucky with weather so far but when we were trekking about 5 minutes from the lodge it was t-shirt weather. But because the lodge is on a curve of the mountain and not protected from the wind it is bloody freezing! And the windows have a half inch gap around them so the wind sails straight through, and like every other 'luxury' lodge we've been staying in there is of course no heat. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining as we are lucky to be staying in these lodges. The alternative is...a tent! Gratitude to the luxury lodges!!
On a brighter note I think I'd have to say I think it was money well spent on the buying and hiring of good quality equipment. I can really see how important it is to have the right gear when trekking in the Himalayas. Mother nature doesn't mess around and neither should you - especially if you're a western tender-foot outdoor wuss like me.
Over the past few days witnessing what I can only describe as "Sherpa Power" I have figured out what characteristics it takes to be a normal everyday Sherpa. In order to be a bog standard Sherpa you must exhibit "Sherpa Power" and here's my top 10 list of what it takes.
Mike Bajwa's Top 10 List of what it takes to be a Sherpa:
1.) Be more sure footed than a Himalayan mountain goat even on the roughest of terrain or the loosest of rocks
2.) Be stronger than Superman
3.) Be part Grizzly Adams
4.) Be part Crocodile Dundee
5.) Be part Rambo
6.) Be able to haul loads bigger and heavier than a freight train
7.) Do number 6 above in flip flops
8.) Do number 6 above while not breathing any heavier than you or I would do sitting on the couch watching T.V.
9.) Never once drink water throughout any part of the trekking day no matter how hot it is out or how steep the terrain
10.) Never be more than 5 ft 2 in height and never weigh more than about 160 lbs or 70kg
The end...until tomorrow!
- comments
Bhavni Wow, amazing sherpa power! Glad you really enjoyed today and even better got fully acclimitized!