Local time: 18:00 6 Nov 2007
Location: Gokyo
Altitude: 4790m
Weather: Cloudy morning -2C, then beautiful sunny day 5C

Hiya everyone...
Paul B here with our trek update.

Morning Trek
We started walking through cloud and light snow at around 8:30 on our 4km walk to Gokyo, where we gained another 300m as we continue our slow acclimatisation.

On this walk we were entertained by the usual trekkers and yaks along with a beautiful view of the ice covered Cho Oyo Mountain (8200), and repeated sightings of 6 porters singing and dancing on their rest breaks between carrying their 50 odd kg loads up the valley.

We were soon told by our guides that they were in fact singing a love song. No, not to us, but rather the two female trekkers that had been travelling the same direction as us for the past two days.

Arriving in Gokyo
Gokyo is a beautiful little village on the banks of a large lake dividing Gokyo village and two mountains, Gokyo Ri (5360) and and the higher snow covered Pharilapche. So the view from our rooms includes this beautiful lake and snow covered mountain. Yeah!

Shortly after arriving at Gokyo and checking in to our basic rooms, Dave and I decided that the lakes looked so good that we just have to have a swim. For those that know our swimming history in Antarctica, yes we swam al natural in a freezing lake, at 4790m in the Himalayas. But you knew we would :) Sorry, you will have to wait until our return for all the video and pics taken of the event.

After lunch, and thawing out, we took a short (4k return) walk to the next lake further up the valley, just for fun and to work off the huge lunch we had just finished.

Gokyo Ri - Everest view
Tomorrow we are planning a 4am start to the day for the 600m climb up Gokyo Ri for arguably the best view of Mt Everest in the area. We are getting an early start because Paul wants us to practice climbing in the dark for Island Peak. All going well, (no cloud cover) we should arrive at the summit shortly after sunrise with video and still cameras in hand. Check tomorrows update for possible photos.

Trip Mascot
Looks like I'm the poor sod having to carry the yak horns tomorrow as shortly after our swim we were discussing swimming in Antarctica etc. and I just happened to mention the banned word. Bugger....

Thanks again so much for your interest and messages of support. We have become rather attached to the evening update we receive from you all.

Cheers
Ciao Ciao
Bye Bye
Seya mate
Paul B

Your Messages
Hi William, Thanks for your questions. We chose this time of year to fit in with everyone's work schedule. It's definately getting less busy, but there are still more people up here than in the April-May season. Tonight is our first clear night and we are up early for a climb of Gokyo Ri, so it will be our first taste of the cold. Cheers, Paul Adler.

Thanks for your message Sarah. Paul A.

Thanks Nick for your message.Hope you are training hard for when I return and the Great Wall of China preparation.
Darren

Hi Fiona
I thought it was appropriate that I write to you instead of Paul, as the message was directed at me & caused much laughter amongst the group. Thanks for making my life a little bit harder on the mountain! Ironically the first person to do a Cas this moring was Paul A, looking for his cup of tea which was right next to him. BTW your comment will be taken into consideration, when at the end of the trek I will be asked which was better 6 Girls + 1 or 5 on Island Peak!
Hope all is going well at home.
Cas