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TA's Mt Everest climb, inspiring young people to dream big 
Patrick Hollingworth's Mt Everest climb 
Five guys trekking to EBC and climbing Island Peak
Scott is embarking on a climb of Ama Dablam
Fiona's building a website business for word of mouth information
Paul's second Mount Everest climb: an unfinished goal 
Pat is climbing Mount Everest - the last of his 7 summits 
Gavin is following his dream to climb Ama Dablam 
Aeronik continues her reinvention as she climbs Mt Kilimanjaro
BAck in Canada
Namaste,
The last few days have been a whirlwind of flights and airports. On the 28th, I had breakfast in Lukla, lunch in Kathmandu and supper aboard a plane for Hong Kong. I had to make a very quick decision to fly that night or stay on my original itinerary and arrive a day late for the 3M retreat. So, with moments to spare, I threw things in duffels and subjected myself to the chaos that is Kathmandu airport. Flew overnight. Had nine hours in Hong Kong and then flew through the night again, landing in Toronto last night around 6 an exhausted puppy. Got some sleep last night and have begun to exchange night for day.
I'm flying to Ottawa to spend the day with a dear friend Zoe and then tomorrow head to the 3M retreat hopefully rested and ready to go (just have to sort out where to do some expedition laundry). I have to take my monster bags through 5 different desitations in the next two weeks before finally landing home in St. John's on November 12. I, of course, just want to be home right now but look forward to all the amazing experiences that the next days will bring.
I'm still reflecting on the expedition substantially and I will keep you posted on those musings.
I read your comments during the expedition. Thank you for your wonderful words and sentiments of support. Much appreciated.
TA
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Messages
advance to your retreat!!
book — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 10:06great pic of c1. have awonderful''retreat''. 'regards [ken.nz]
Thanks
taloeffler — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 15:40Ken,
Thanks for coming along on another adventure!
TA
Welcome "almost" back !!!
aeronik — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 11:31You are amazing TA !!! I don't often reply on your posts, but I'm following your adventures religiously... I have my page on this site too and I find it very interesting to get inspired by your experiences. I want to climb big mountains too and there are not a lot of women reporting on their ascents, feelings and fears. Thank you for sharing your heart and spirit with us...
Aeronik :o)
Appreciate your Support
taloeffler — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 15:41Hi,
Thanks for writing. I've followed your adventures as well and I appreciate having company on the adventure path.
TA
Winter wonderland
Shelagh — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 12:49Glad you got back to Canada so quickly. Ottawa is a winter wonderland today with snow on the ground, leaves still on the trees and clear, sunny skies. Enjoy your day here and I hope the 3M retreat is another great experience for you. The photo of camp 1 is awesome.
Autumn
taloeffler — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 15:43Shelagh,
Yes-I'm thrilled to have made it back to attend the entire retreat and not be jetlagged as I would have been if I was just leaving Nepal today. Getting ready to head to the airport to meet the shuttle to Montebello.
My hair has almost as many tones as the fall leaves :-)
TA
Home, sweet, 3M retreat...
Mary Clare Reinhardt — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 05:59As much as you're looking forward to the 3M retreat (and the best of luck with that), I'll bet you are ready to lay your head down on your own pillow at home!
Great expedition, TA and thanks again for sharing your thoughts as well as the physical aspects of the climb.
Best always,
MC
p.s. Outstanding photo of C-1.
12 more days
taloeffler — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 15:46MC,
You're right...I'm eager for my own pillow...but between now and it, I have a few more adventures to have...some old friends to see, some professional opportunities, and hopefully lots of laughs and fun. I'll be out your way a bit attending the AEE conference in Vancouver, Washington.
Thanks for coming along,
TA
Amazing.....
Drug rehab — Wed, 11/05/2008 - 16:55I could only imagine what it must be like to accomplish anything like that. I am a recovering drug addict and hope someday to find my Everest and gain that feeling of overcoming something that seems un obtainable.
Here is my web site if intrested..... There is a forum there where I would be more than glad to exchange stories with anyone who thinks they may know someone who has a problem with substance abuse or just wants to chat.
http://www.mountainside.org
Thanks!@!!
I've climbed my own Everest... There is hope!!!
aeronik — Wed, 11/05/2008 - 23:25Follow this link right here on this website... (or cut and paste)
http://www.myeverest.com/node/119
Aeronik :o)
Step by Step
taloeffler — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 03:57Hi,
Thanks for writing. Climbing an Everest or overcoming an obstacle is done step by step and breath by breath. So glad to hear you're on your way.
TA
Great photo of camp 1
Paul Adler — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 07:24Hi TA, That is a truly impressive camp site - even better than C3 on Everest's Lhotse face. I'd be interested to hear in an update your thoughts on the safety of climbing Pumori on the route that you were doing. Pumori has a poor reputation, but I understand that you were on a different route than normal?
Regards, Paul.
"Little Everest"
taloeffler — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 15:46Hey Paul,
Here visiting with my folks...my mom has trouble pronouncing Pumori so she just calls it "Little Everest." All discussions in our base camp was how the "normal" route on Pumori is the killer route. Even the permit folks in Kathmandu said to us that "you're going to the killer mountain." And yes, looking at the normal route, I think that's an accurate moniker.
Our route was steep but I believe ultimately safer than the normal route because of its ridge base. Of course, my team was turned by unsafe snow conditions on the ridge. When they finally broke through to the summit ridge, the snow was waist deep and unconsolidated so the climb was called off. They figured this was a result of being post monsoon. So perhaps, trying Pumori will yield more options come spring.
I would climb the same route again. The climb over the steep talus slope to advance base camp actually felt like the most dangerous part of the climb.
Often Camp One is placed a bit lower than on the ridge line but this year, that was the best place they could find for it.
TA
Thanks for the info on Pumori
Paul Adler — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 11:49Thank TA, Thanks for the info. I have never thought about climbing Pumori before (due to the danger), but I'll have to add it to the list. Paul.