Day #12:

Location: Chhukung
Altitude: 4828m
Local Time: 9:00pm / April 8
Weather: Warm Day (70's) and windy

The mountain trails have been quite busy with many fellow hikers enroute to a variety of destinations. Some travel on their own with only a small daypack as not much is needed since accomodations and food are readily available all along the trail, while others travel with either personal guides or as part of a larger organized group. I have been hiking with two fellow climbers from my team; Mike from Auckland, New Zealand and Ward from Burlingame (near San Fransisco) California. We are three of a team of eight and earlier have met two fellow climbers, Jean from France and Bo from Michigan, and will meet the rest of the team at basecamp. All are very enthusiastic and bring different strengths to the team.

One thing we noticed at supper last night that really stood out was that none of our fellow hikers were smoking. In fact, none of us have seen any smokers at all! I imagine that it must be difficult to smoke at altitude as your air exchange is already compromised and perhaps that's why we don't see people smoking. I would also like to think that if there are smokers here and their ability to hike is compromised by their poor lung capacity ... maybe they will kick the habit! The mountains are such a healthy atmosphere and it is so nice to see families, elderly couples, and even groups of school kids hiking together.

Today has been sunny and very windy and as I write this note at 2:45pm the afternoon clouds are hovering over the mountains. Yesterday at this time we were doing a hike in the hills above our guest house and encountered thunder, and then snow. The snow coated the ground yesterday but was gone by late morning today. The wind is a constant here and at present is howling outside. We all use plenty of sunscreen and lip protection ... and my products were donated by "Kiss My Face" (see sponsor page). And speaking of sponsors, none of these communications would be possible without the support of Nortel (see sponsor page). Thanks to Nortel I am able to send you these updates from
the middle of the Himalayas in Nepal. In fact, most people are quite amazed when I explain to them that I have the ability to post messages and pictures to a blog, and can also download your responses. Thanks Nortel :>)

**As I returned to my room to get my sat phone to send this message ... a baby goat followed me into my room! Goats, yaks, and all kinds of animals are all around us! Now, if a Yak follows me into my room I might be I trouble!

Your Messages:

Carol:
Thanks for forwarding to me the letter from Janet at USC ... must be slow news day there to feature me! I sure miss you and have tied the heart that you gave me around the cord around my neck (that was given to me during the puja). Gumby and Pokey are safe and are with me always ... as you are! I look forward to OUR return to Nepal.
Love you :>)

Columbia Friends:
Greg:
Hey Greg ... thanks for reminding me of your first view of Mt. McKinley; very memorable. Drop in on Carol when you get a chance.
Norm:
Hey Norm ... appreciate the words of confidence. As a former trainer of athletes you know that there is confidence with training! I have that confidence, and plan to make the right decisions!
Lyn:
Hey Lyn ... sorry that I did not get to visit with you before departure. Glad that you like the descriptions of the local culture as I know that you are sensitive to helping those from other cultures. You would love it here ... the people are so nice.
Susan:
Hey Susan ... thanks for your note. Tell Dr. Renick that I am doing fine so far ... with the biggest challenges yet to come!
Al:
Hey Al ... Glad to hear that you finally had dinner with Deb and Carol. Look forward to our get-together on my return!
Burt:
Hey Burt ... thanks so much for for the quote from John Muir ... very timely! Hope you can keep checking in. You would love it here in the mountains!
Bert & Brandy:
Hey Bert ... great to hear from you! And to think, you knew me when this was just a dream! Regarding your question about fried Yak meat ... it tastes like, you guessed it - chicken!
Joy:
Hey Joy ... thanks for following along, and the words of encouragement. I hope that you are well.
Deb:
Hope you and the girls had a good weekend with Carol. Please ask Kristen and Danielle to follow up on my request!
Amy:
Hey Amy ... thanks for following along! Please try to keep Carol busy!
Kristen/Danielle:
Hey girls ... don't forget my weekly request! Please keep in touch.

USC Faculty/Staff/Students:
Linda & Debby ... thanks for your words of encouragement and appreciate that all of you are checking in on me.
Dean Hewlett ... I am wearing the medallion that you gave me!
Lisa ... glad that you are sharing my adventures with your sister. Hopefully her students will get a great education from this trip!
Mary ... yes, I remember when Bert and I were a team! Appreciate the words of confidence and look forward to making more memories!
Alan ... glad that the test wasn't too bad! The next few should be easier now that you know the routine. The puja was great (see last post) and the yak meat tastes finger licking good!
Abbas ... thanks for the continued support.
Cheryl ... more pictures coming soon!
Liesl ... contact Kate Lincoln at Palmetto Heath Richland to see if we can coordinate a call to their leadership team ... contingent on corporate sponsorship for Summit Scholarship.

Palmetto Health Friends:
Minnie:
Hey Minnie ... sorry that I have not had a chance to visit with you prior to departure. Hope all is well in your department and glad that you are checking in on me!
Kate:
Hey Kate ... great to hear from you and thanks for sharing with me that John mentioned my cause. I would love to coordinate a call into the leadership/management meeting from here on the mountain. Check with Liesl Downey at USC College of Nursing as we are trying to provide this opportunity to corporate sponsors of the Summit Scholarship ... of which I hope that PHR will be one of those! I hope that all is well with the baby :>)
Bob:
Hey Bob ... thanks for the support and look forward to meeting with you afterwards. You would love it here in the mountains! Look forward to the lunch!
Sandra:
Hey Sandra ... it's fun for me to describe what I see and glad that all are enjoying. Thanks so much for the quote as they are very inspiring!
Hey Linda ... thanks for the kind words! Hope all is well in the OR!

Canadian Friends:
Sue:
Hey Sue ... thanks for continuing to visit the site and send words of encouragement.
Danno:
Hey Danny ... got your note about deleting messages. I want to keep all transactions, but don't want to store on my pda. If you can prevent me from receiving the messages repeatedly/all over again that would be great!
Maureen:
Hey cuz ... it's been way too long since we have seen each other ... perhaps in July when I come home for Danny's wedding? Yes, it does take a lot of spirit to climb these hills, and I definitely have the spirit!
Fran:
Hey Fran ... thanks for the well wishes for all of us climbers. See you in July!
Helen:
Hey Helen ... thanks for following along. Drop by and visit Mom and bring her up to date.
Kevin:
Hey Kevin ... glad to hear that Nortel is following along as they are responsible for my ability to communicate! Look forward to hearing from Liam and glad that you are keeping Mom informed! Hope you have long lunches to be able to keep up with these messages!
Debi:
Hey Debi ... thanks for getting all those Texas nurses to support me! Please refer all to the USC website for info on the scholarship and ways to donate. Thanks for the words of support! Met a fellow Ottawan that is climbing and she is a member of the CAF!
Theresa:
Hey Theresa ... thanks for the support. Debbi has rounded up the troops!
Kelvy:
Hey Kelvy ... glad that you are following along, and I willlet you know when I get back how Mt. Everest compares to Mt. Packenham.

AORN Friends:

Maryann:
Hey Maryann ... I too missed everyone at Congress and glad to hear that Kay spread the word! Visit my website (www.Amercan.us) for info on the scholarship.

Paula:
Hey Paula ... great to hear from you. Hope that Jessy is doing well. Keep me in your prayers!

All The Others:

Bill & Michelle:
Hey guys ... we are the pack mules as we carry our own gear on the trek to basecamp. All of our heavy gear was sent ahead via helicopter and porters. I plan to enjoy the journey, whatever the destintion!

Ann & Graham:
Hey Ann ... no sound from the water prayer wheels other than that of the turning of the wheel! There are so many engravings in rocks along the trail, flags, buildings, etc. that it is mind boggling. Wish I knew more about the culture!

MC:
Hey MC ... sounds interesting, making your own prayer wheels in streams! Why not?

David aka Demento:
Hey David ... all is well here. Had a headache about 5 days ago and nothing since. Took Diamox for 1 1/2 days and decided to acclimatize on my own!

Barbara:
Hey Barbara ... thanks so much for your kind words. It is my privilegee to give back to nursing and look forward to continuing to do so on my return! I am humbled to be mentioned in the same context as Florence Nightingale and do hope to create a healthier world!

Joan:
Hey Joan ... thanks for ther words of inspiration. Many have inspired me and it is an honor to be able to do the same for others!

Lexus:
Hey Lexus ... thanks for your kind words. You leave the mountain climbing to me and I promise not to fall down. Hope to see you sometime soon and visit with your family!

Craig:
Hey Craig ... great to hear from those down under! Appreciate your interest in nurses (keeping it all in the family) and their issues. As far as fitness, all of us have different routines ... mine included climbing stadium steps! Keep in touch!