New audio update from TA on Pumori.

This is the text of TA’s audio message:

Hi this is TA calling in from Namche bazaar.  I spent much of yesterday looking back over my left shoulder; stopping to look back at Pumori and silently tracing the route to the summit with my eyes and wondering what the mountain would hold for the rest of my team above camp one.  Once we descended the Dugla hill we saw Pumori no more.  Today was a day of looking both forward and back   On with bla was our constant companion until we finally rounded the corner into Namche.  We stopped to glance back at Everest frequently and the entire Khumbu valley we had just come down, and looked forward to places and experiences down valley.  It is always a fine balance of finding the present moment between memories of the past and expectations of the future.  I suspect tomorrow may be a day of looking ahead.

Once I leave base camp and come to lower environments I can actually perceive how harsh life up there actually was.  As temperatures warm up and beds get more comfy, appetite returns and walking is mostly down hill, life and the ability to philosophize becomes much easier.  Today I met a Buddhist friend, Stephen, from St. John’s on the trail above Namche, he is staying in the room next door, small world.  I also met Kevin Adams a good friend of Tim’s who brought his school group to trek to base camp.  He brought pictures of their fallen friend to place in his favorite spots in the Khumbu valley, small world.  I had a latte and did a little bit of email down in Namche, small world.  I got a North Face jacket for Andrew so he could stop wearing his mom Dianne’s, small world.  So I’m here in Namche, thousands of kilometers from home, feeling great fondness and love for all who bless my life, and for the privilege of walking and climbing in such an amazing place.

Hopefully team one moved to camp one today, and team two to advanced base camp.  Whenever people learn that we were climbing Pumori their heads turn almost as much as when they see my multi-tone hair.  Two older Sherpa women couldn’t contain their laughter when I walked by them today in town, after my shower it was quite quaff and looking quite good.  One last day of trekking should deposit Cliff and I in Lukla tomorrow with all body parts cross for our flight to Kathmandu the next day, and communication that wont come via satellites.  As I’m sitting here overlooking Namche, there is the most amazing light on the snow covered peaks, that you can see from here and I realize that I’m speaking on the phone and not out of breath for the first time in weeks.

Have a great night, catch you tomorrow.

TA

Help support TA’s climb for awareness.  TA’s climb of Mount Pumori is a fundraiser for the Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation.  The money raised during this climb goes to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  If you have given already, thank you and please tell your friends and family to give also.  We need your support. 

Click here https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=21241 to donate online and click http://www.taloeffler.com here for a downloadable donation form.