We walked into Deboche today feeling great and it only took us 4.5 hours. The walk today was a daunting one with lots of miles underfoot and about 450m of elevation gain. This is a hard won gain as you go up quite steeply out of Namche, walk flat for a while and then descend a great distance only to walk up again to gain more than you have lost.
I was looking forward to this walk as last time I did it with Angus we were sick as dogs with stomach cramps and had to run off the trail a dozen times to find a make shift bathroom . It was also quite cloudy so we had no views.
Today, however, Susan and I were both feeling great and the skies were clear. Most of the day we had impressive views of Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse. We had lunch in Phunki Tenga (say that three times fast) at 11:30. It was quite good with mushroom soup and fried potatoes. It was also ready exceptionally fast. As all meals are made from scratch once ordered it can be a long wait. My ultraviolet water purifier has been amazing. It still seems unbelievable that it works and it may be one of the greatest hiking inventions in a long time.
We have met a ton of people along the way and since they are on a similar schedule we see them several times a day. If anybody is out there is reading this and knows these people, you will be glad to know that Jakob the Danish guide and his group (including a 72 year old woman who is amazing) are doing well and that Jen and Bill and Michelle from Calgary have been great to talk with and are moving strong. We had lunch today with a guy from Ireland and one from Australia.
Our night in the fancy room was amazing. The room was big clean and bright, the bed was ever so comfortable, the hot shower divine, the food quite good and the service excellent. Check it out at www.hotelsherpaland.com. We met Pemba Sherpa earlier in the day. She owns a small shop in Namche. It is her brother Nima who owns the lodge. She is quite well traveled and has a sister in Toronto and a brother in New York city. The lodge shows many signs of western influence and I would recommended it to anyone passing through Namche.
That’s it for now. We are now tucked into our small basic room (I think we are the only people here), will have dinner at 6:00, be in bed by 8:30 and off to Pheriche tomorrow.
Hello to everyone who is following along. It is great to get all your messages. A special hello to our children. Amy you are such a great helper and provider of support to your brother. Colin you are such a good and nice boy and are doing a great job while we are away. We are very proud of you both.
Scott & Susan.