Realising my dream
In and around Nepal
Seeing Everest is my dream and when the opportunity arose to trek in the Himalayas on behalf of SCOPE I jumped at the chance. Given four months to raise £3500 was a gruelling task but with the help of friends and colleagues I made the target and then some!
Since Christmas I have been busy training and trying to increase my fitness levels, this included walking 60 miles up and down cliff paths in Devon. While I don't think it will be easy by any means, i feel that I am up to the physical challenge and although I am worried about altitude I cannot do anything about it!!
Getting on the plane will be a major challenge but not to worry because my doctor has kindly given me a large prescription for Valium!!
I have just finished my last day at work for 3 weeks and still can't believe that I am about to realise my dream. Tomorrow I'll be packing and panicking ably assisted by my long suffering son David who still manages to remain calm despite my madness!! Following this I will be sharing a meal with my other son Jonathan, my grandchildren Henri and Jeorge,and David and his girlfriend Naomi, then I will be truly on my way!
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Trekking Grandma
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1
getting ready
Saturday – The first day of my three week break from work. I awoke feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement, then proceeded to waste a few hour... Continue reading » -
2
on my way
Sunday - I awoke early in the morning having slept very badly and not feeling at all refreshed. Gavin came to help me to the coach station as I couldn... Continue reading » -
3
here at last
Arrived at Kathmandu at approximately 9.30am Nepalese time, they are nearly six hours ahead of the UK. It was warm when we got off the plane and I got... Continue reading » -
4
trek briefing and a look round Kathmandu
Got woken up at 9am !! just time to get to breakfast before the trek briefing. Today we learnt about the snow, Lukla (where our trek was to begin from... Continue reading » -
5
the trek begins
The day started officially at 5am, it was dark and cold, and although I felt excited I knew I had to contend with a flight on an extremely small aerop... Continue reading » -
6
onward and upward
Woken up at 7am and had to hurry to repack my bag, dress and throw water over my face before the tent was taken down while I was still inside it. Toda... Continue reading » -
7
first view of Everest
Today was an acclimatisation day so we weren’t woken up quite so early, a lie in until 8am what a luxury !! We trekked up approximately 300 metres, th... Continue reading » -
8
glad I don't need to go to hospital here
Onward and upward today as we set out for Khumjung, the trek didn’t seem quite as arduous today, maybe after the steepness of Namche I was just get... Continue reading »
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9
Paradise Lodge !!
We awoke to another cold yet beautifully sunny day and set off for Deboche, our next resting place. Most of the mornings walking was downhill, but... Continue reading »
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10
over the 4000 metre mark
Today we crossed over the 4000 metre mark and we set off with strict instructions that we were to report anything we thought might be a sign of altitu... Continue reading » -
11
teaching English
Another acclimatisation day with a slightly later start, we were all wearing our Scope t.shirts today as they hoped to take a group photograph. All of... Continue reading » -
12
into the clouds
As you were all beginning your day I was walking into the clouds (it is just after lunch in Nepal), there I composed that sentence in my head as I... Continue reading »
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13
the highest lodge
Today’s walk was short but definitely not sweet as it was very cold, with no sun, snowed again and the undulating terrain was merciless. To give yo... Continue reading »
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14
climbing the mountain
Sleep was very hard to come by last night as my room mate snored very loudly, the people in the next door room were talking and my mouth was unbearabl... Continue reading » -
15
A long days trek down !!
Today we started the real trek down, yesterday had been only a short distance. When you know you are trekking down you are lulled into a false sense o... Continue reading » -
16
Night of freedom from nagging !!
Woke up to a window that had no ice on it, the first time for many days although I can still see my breath so it is cold. While waiting to set off I p... Continue reading » -
17
End of the trek
This morning with Tenzing in charge we didn’t have to get up until 8 am and nobody was rushing around telling us to hurry up, what bliss. As is often... Continue reading » -
18
Back to Kathmandu
Today we were up at 5.45am because all of the bags had to be loaded on to the first flight out of Lukla at 7am. Half of the group were also scheduled... Continue reading » -
19
a day exploring
I spent the last day buying more gifts in Thamel and exploring Durbar Square further. After a slightly false start as I shared a taxi with someone who... Continue reading » -
20
back home
The day had finally dawned when the adventure would come to an end, it was a sad day, but I was grateful to be going home. We started very early in th... Continue reading »
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