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< Newer | Older > Sun, 05/27/2007 - 12:57 — taloeffler

This is the monestary above Namche. Monestaries are often situated high above the village.Having landed from London at 2:00 am, there was an email in my in-box from Lucy at 9:00 am.  She organizes “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) workshops here in Newfoundland and Labrador.  She was desperate for someone to teach the hiking and backpacking workshop the next weekend.  Literally just getting my feet on the ground, I said I would let her know by the end of the day.  “How can I say no to Lucy?” I thought.

BOW is a program that teaches introductory outdoor skills to women.  This year is the 10th anniversary of BOW in Newfoundland and Labrador and I remember, at last year’s workshop, being sad I would miss the big occasion.  As I have a bit of a media profile here now, when the women heard I was coming to lead the backpacking workshop, there were a little worried and intimidated about how hard I would make them hike.

Prayer wheels spinning released the prayers contained within.They had no idea that, these days, I’ve been doing more napping than hiking.  Along with leading the workshop, Lucy invited me to do an Everest presentation.  I whittled down my pictures from 900 to 300 but didn’t really sort out what I would say.  I let the group know that I was only home a week so they’d be getting a raw, unpolished version.

People who hadn’t seen me in a year were startled by the amount of weight loss since they last one.  One friend remarked about how much muscle mass I had lost.  When my body is ready, I’ll start building it up again.  When asked how I am these days, my current answer is about 65-70% of normal.  I see my doc this week for the big check-up.

I started off showing the film my friend Greg made last January to give the audience some sense of my training and intention in climbing Everest and then let the pictures run and just said whatever came to mind or heart.  The audience asked thoughtful questions throughout.  I was very moved by the standing ovation at the end of the presentation.  It was amazing to see the Khumbu icefall on the big screen and see the women’s reaction to it.

Yak pens as see from above Thame.Having explained that I had mortgaged the house to make the climb possible, the women jumped up after the presentation to reduce my inventory of expedition T-shirts and carabiners tremendously.  I was also awarded the proceeds from the 50-50 draw and signed many autographs for the participants’ children.  Their support was very touching.

We have a tradition at BOW of doing Tarot readings after the day’s activities are done.  A year ago, when I asked the question of whether the money would come through for the expedition, the cards seemed to lead in the direction that it would.  Now 12 months later, I can see that it came though enough to make it possible to go and I will work to retire the rest of the debt in coming months by doing more presentations about the experience.  I’ll be curious to see where this year’s cards lead.

Take care,

TA

TA

Messages

Greetings TA,

wmpopper — Sun, 05/27/2007 - 21:09

Great to read that you will be leading the backpacking workshop next weekend and that your presentation went well. Fine images of the monastery and snow peaks...and prayer wheels and Yak pen. What type of camera did you use on E, you have certainly obtained excellent results? Hope that you have a fine week of rest and recuperation mixed with getting ready for the weekend's gathering. What good fortune for the class participants to have you available as instructor/leader, sounds like a wonderful learning opportunity for the participants.

I located the webcam in St. Johns and it appeared foggy and overcast conditions with droplets on the webcam lense obscuring most of the image at one time. Appears like a remote city next to open ocean with very changeable weather.

Yesterday went on my fun bicycling recreational/grocery shopping/exercise route and added a new segment which includes a bay shoreline route to the top of Albany Hill evelvation 450ft and back down for another climb of 450ft adjacent hillside and am now referring to this expanded route as the TA Loeffler Route. Hope that the Tarot cards reveal some interesting symbols to you.
wp

YYT

taloeffler — Mon, 05/28/2007 - 00:41

The airport code for St. John's is YYT. We are remote. We're the most easterly city in North America-1200 kilometers east of New York City. I was actually at the workshop this past weekend-I made not have made that clear.

This is the time of year we do get lots of RDF-rain, drizzle, fog. Though we did have some sun today. I'm thinking I may need to make a date with my bicycle this week.

TA

BOW

truvei — Mon, 05/28/2007 - 00:38

I'll miss BOW this year. I'll be in Manitoba for a wedding and a memorial service. I was the chubby, out of shape, older lady that went on the backpacking expedition with you last year. You were very good and very patient with us, but I was so out of shape I just made it up the little incline to the pond. I'll miss it so much this year and I'll miss seeing you one more time. Have a great, fun weekend with all those courageous women who are willing to try things out of their comfort zone like I did last year.
Take care and I'll check in when I come back on the 6th. of June.
Trudy

It was fun.

taloeffler — Mon, 05/28/2007 - 00:44

Trudy,

BOW was fun this year (as it usually is). I had 18 women in the backpacking class. Glad you enjoyed it last year. There were 3 or 4 who came back this year. The rest were new.

Have a good trip to Manitoba.

TA

Standing ovation...

crayner — Mon, 05/28/2007 - 02:57

A standing ovation fully deserved to! Your attempt alone is inspirational and requires congratulations. Thanks for sharing the journey and well done!!

Craig (Perth, Aust.)

Thanks

taloeffler — Mon, 05/28/2007 - 10:16

Craig,

Thanks for your kind words!

TA

Hi TA Throughout your

Cas — Tue, 05/29/2007 - 12:56

Hi TA

Throughout your struggle with Gardia at EBc and then further down the mountain, me and the trekking girls were crossing our fingers for a rapid recovery and maybe an Everest summit. Alas it wasn't to be and we were all very sad the day Paul told us that you had decided to call it a day.Hope you get another chance in the near future , because I'm sure that with your health in tact and a bit of luck and decent conditions you can fly up that mountain.

I also want to take this opportunity on commending you on all these great pictures you have been posting throughout your reports..having seen most of the scenery you have potographed I know even more to value your framing and eye for a good picture. I was wondering if you have posted them anywhere on the net so one could have a look at the whole collection. I for one would love to see them all

Also could I please ask you what you had to take to combat the parasite ?

Good luck with your recovery

Cas

Tinidazole

taloeffler — Tue, 05/29/2007 - 21:48

Hi,

I was treated with tinidazole at basecamp-two days worth (4 pills today). Accroding to one site I read, it has a 90% effective rate for treatment.

I haven't uploaded the entire collection anywhere yet. I took 900 pictures and am still editing it down to a reasonable number. Thanks for enjoying them.

TA

Home

Visitor — Tue, 05/29/2007 - 18:33

TA;
I am so glad you're home safely and seem to be getting back into the routine. I have enjoyed your posts as well as the wonderful pictures, in my mind I can just imagine how wonderful it must all be "in person". Please keep them coming..

eileen
Louisiana

Great photos

Shelagh — Wed, 05/30/2007 - 00:22

I just wanted to say that I, too, am enjoying the photos you are posting and also am glad to hear that you are getting back into physical activity at home. Although you may be disappointed your trip to Everest didn't work out the way you would have wished it to, I hope you know how much you have inspired those of us who read along to strive for our own goals, however modest.