Arrived in Kathmandu

< Newer | Older > Wed, 10/31/2007 - 14:09 — Cas

Kathmandu

8pm

Temp 24 C, clear

Hi its Cas here

Just a brief update.We all arrived in KTM without any major mishaps yesterday afternoon and got on with finding the rest of the gear we needed. By aout 8 pm we had found most of the stuff and as we were all pretty tired, we went to Rum Doodle the famous resturant in Thamel were all Everest Summiteers can eat for free. Fortunately for us it is just outside our hotel, so we didnt have too far to go and hit the beds by about 9.30.

Today the day was spent meeting with Asian Trekking to sort out the permits and finalising logistics. After that we all went back to the shops to purchase the gear we have found the day before. This was a lot harder than it sounds. First of all we all needed different amounts. Paul A needed nothing...I needed a woolly hat that I had unfortunately forgotten....but the other three needed nrealy everything, from climbing boots,axes and crampons which hired to sleeping bags, doenjacket and weatherproof pants that we needed to buy. The whole exercise was made a lot harder as not one shop had everything or every size we needed...so it was back and force several times and we lso had to pay deposits at 3 different  hire shops.

But finally we have all we need and after a quick pizza and beer at Fire & Ice we will go back to the hotel and start repacking the gear. The climbing gear will be seperated from the trekking stuff and will go direct to Island Peak ( IP from now on ), while the trekking gear and the ton of chocolate and snacks that David bought will accompany us throughout the trek.

It will be a 5 am wakeup call tomorrow morning and fingers crosser and weather pernitting we have a 7 am flight to Lukla. Kathmandu is as busy and full of energy as it was in May and I for one can't wait to get to the tranquility and serenety of the mountains.

 

Sorry about all the typos , but I am trying to typr on a keyboard with half the letters missing

Nore soon

Namaste

Cas

Cas

Messages

Hello you five!!!!

aeronik — Wed, 10/31/2007 - 17:14

Hey you guys,

I wish I was there with all of you. It would have been so great. Paul invited me as well to join this trip. It would have been amazing to meet in Kathmandu and share the experience together. Different people from different countries all around the world. I'm from Montreal, Quebec, Canada and I have my page on this site. I climbed Kilimanjaro last june. My next trip will be in Nepal, climbing Island Peak. That's why Paul invited me over. It was impossible at this time for me to go though.

I wish you all a wonderful trip and enjoy every part of it. Climb safely and print the views in your memory for further moments of serenity... I know what you mean when you say you can't wait to be in the mountains instead of the buzzing sounds in Kathmandu. I was there last year and also took the flight to Lukla cause I did the trek to EBC. I'm kind of "magneted" to this place. That's why I so badly want to go back... It keeps on calling me!

Have a nice trek and climb,
Can't wait to read further posts!

Aeronik :o)

Wish I were there!!!

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Wed, 10/31/2007 - 20:20

High Five!

Glad you were able to get all the gear figured out. Wish I had been invited!!! Although, I probably would have slowed you guys down some. Island Peak is on my list; Aeronik???????

Best, MC

Island Peak

aeronik — Thu, 11/01/2007 - 05:10

Hi MC,

Glad to hear from you. I'll let you know when I start to plan the thing. Maybe you can do so if you plan on going first. We never know how things can work out when you have an opportunity. I have a mountaineering class after the holidays here in Quebec and in the White Mountains, NH. I'm planning on climbing Mount Rainier later during the year 2008. Is june a good period for that?

Talk to you soon...
Aeronik :o)

good luck as you get going....

Visitor — Wed, 10/31/2007 - 21:07

hi all! it is paul b's little sister michelle!
wanted to leave a message of hope and luck for him and for all!

nothing will compare to the tranquility of those mountains, remember this when you are sucking it up with tiredness trying to just get to the sleeping spot for the day....
bye for now ~michelle~

Hello Cassra!

amyhuber — Wed, 10/31/2007 - 22:06

Good luck as you begin the climb. I am keeping close tabs on Grazia to make sure she has a brilliant time when you are away! We have all sorts of things planned - shopping, clubbing, riding, champagne drinking...
Amy

Hi Amy Thanks for looking

Cas — Fri, 11/02/2007 - 11:53

Hi Amy
Thanks for looking after Grazia while I'm away.Make sure she is having a good time and doesn't miss me too much

Cheers Cas

Hi Amy Thank you for looking

Cas — Fri, 11/02/2007 - 11:59

Hi Amy
Thank you for looking after my Grazia while I'm away. Hope you girls have a good time

Cheers

Cas

Message for Darren

warnie527 — Thu, 11/01/2007 - 00:22

Cas
Thanks for the update
Can you please pass on to Darren that Shane Warne loves him and misses him and hopes he doesn't forget me while he is on top of the world.
Be safe when you climb and look after the love of my life
Shane Warne

Hi David

Visitor — Fri, 11/02/2007 - 08:58

We thought it about time you had a message as well. How are you finding the rekk? Started climbing yet? Keep us all up to date with the adventure - we can't wait to see the photographs. No doubt the others are all sharing high altitude triumphs but you can hold your own with deep sea diving under Antarctic ice, sharks etc. Look after yourself, keep safe but enjoy! Everything is OK at home, ESS & Gromit!
Tonia and Peter

Paul Beck

Visitor — Fri, 11/02/2007 - 12:06

Attn: Paul

If this is the Paul that started working for me recently.

Do not bother returning to work!!

Anthony

Just read the updates and

Visitor — Sun, 11/04/2007 - 03:51

Just read the updates and viewed the pics....really, really excited for all of you. Dave, hope you don't think completing this impressive adventure saves you from the mundane chores I have waiting for you when you return.

Also....I read your contribution on behalf of the team and was a little shocked that you had better things to report than " Erin I miss you and love you." Who would have thought climbing Everest would be more important than remembering to mention me in an email. (Ha Ha Ha). All is well at home (minus the yaks and amazing views).

Say hi to Paul B for me - look forward to seeing the shameless and inevitable pics of his naked behind. (Don't pretend you haven't thought about a nude mountain run Paul, because we all know you have, just try not to get frostbite)

Anyway... everyone back home is really proud of you. Look after yourself.

Love Erin. xxxxxxx

Jealousy is a curse!

jasmarty — Wed, 11/07/2007 - 07:52

Hi Dave,

Haven't seen or spoken to you for a long time, who'dve thought the catch up would be with you at the top of the world and me almost at the bottom (although Melb. and Tassie are further down than the sunny Central Coast).

Read the updates of the trip with great interest and also checked out ESS website after an e-mail from your old man. I'll be following the updates from now on and swimming in jealousy. I'd love to try it some day.

Luck and wishes to you and all!

Marty, Jas & Hannah