Tengboche

< Newer | Older > Mon, 10/15/2007 - 07:05 — kade

A lot has happened over the lasr 2 or 3 days. I had descended from mongla to a lodge bout 2 hrs walk from namche. I have been resting their but also went to see a doctor in Kunde.

Recived an examination from him and he said I hace bronchitis or khumbu cough. have plenty of drugs to combat this and I’m hoping this won’t make me descend again.

We already have had one gentleman head back to australia due to ear infection. I wish him a speedy recovery. quite ironic that we were room mates and we both got really sick.

I’m over the runs and hopefully things r on the way up.

Situation now is I’ve left the group and I’m not heading to gokyo lakes and crossing the cho la pass. I have a sherpa with me and we r heading upto base camp the normal way. I will meet them at base camp and then continue to island peak.

I am above the tree line atm. very cold. got my first view of mountains yesterday,ama dablam looked magnificent in the sunshine. the trails are like grampians bak home for those who know but steeper. a lot of small shrubs as we move out of forrest.

so all in all I’m ok. I hope things are well at home with everyone. I have received txts but cannot send.

loydee n max- great to have on line.thanks for the msg.

ka- hope ur well.love reading ur msgs. I hope ihave answered a little of urs.

sim yes ok. mum n dad all ok. hi craig n donna n all kids.

miss u ka. nxt time mt noorat for holiday.haha.

take care alll.

kade.

Messages

I suggest resting where you are now

Paul Adler — Tue, 10/16/2007 - 00:06

Hi Kade,

Now that you have done the steep and dusty hill up to Tengboche it's a bit flatter & easier now for the next few days. The little bit of extra rest by avoiding the Gokyo Lakes will hopefully pay off by making you a lot stronger when you come to tackling Island Peak. When you are at altitude it's so much harder to recover than at sea level. This applies not just to exercise, but also to getting better after you are sick. I have always found that it gets a lot harder above 4000m, so my advice is that if you can stay a few days down lower where you are (or no higher than Pheriche/Dingboche), you'll be better off for it in the coming weeks. This is a hard thing to do mentally, because you want to get higher so that you can acclimatise, but your ability to climb well and safely depends a lot on being able to breathe well (no chest issues) and being able to keep food down (no GI issues). So if you try go higher before you are ready, then you risk getting sick again and the trip being over. I think of it like creating a good foundation that you can build upon. These decisions are all part of trekking and climbing amongst the big mountains.

Let us know if the bakery at Tengboche has got any better... The eco center is worth checking out too.

Cheers, Paul.

I second Paul

Cas — Tue, 10/16/2007 - 07:47

Hi Kade

I habe been following your progress and im sorry that you have felt so bad so early in your trek. But still better now than later and as Paul said if you rest properly now, there is every chance that you will recover fully.
I would also stay close to where you are at the moment, preferably in Deboche or Pangboche if you can. You can always take a few hours trek higher up back to Tengboche and climb up the hill there as part your acclimatisation. The other advantage is that in Deboche at the Rhododendron Lodge there is a lovely health worker called Ang Kanchi..she nursed a good friend of mine back to full strenght in 2004 after which he summited everest. Alternatively the next stop for good medical help would be Pheriche. If you are in need of a bit of creatures comfort stay at the White Yak.

Good luck and maybe see you in KTM in 2 weeks time

Cheers

Cas