Everest trekking in 1997
Market in Namche Bazar
Outside Namche Bazar I see Everest for the first time. That small peak, with 'smoke', near the centre.
Far right Ama Dablam.
This is my first trip to Nepal. I went together with Leny, Simon, Otto en Huub. The trip was organized by the Dutch agency HT Wandelreizen. We trekked in the Everest area.
When we ascend behind Dughla, in the direction of Lobuche, I do not understand what is happening to me - I can hardly walk, each step takes a great effort and even giving my backpack to the guide does not help. I have been suffering from diarrhoea since we left Namche Bazar but I doubt that his can be the cause of my troubles. Walking like a drunkard I manage to reach a slightly flatter area at approximately 4800 meters, where monuments stand for climbers who died in their effort to reach the summit of Mt Everest.
My companions convince me that the altitude has got the better of me and that I need to descend. I wait there for the porter whom they promise to send from Lobuche to help me get down again. This porter turns out to be Kame Sherpa, who speaks a little English, and whom I met and talked to on an earlier occasion.
We go to the medical post in Pheriche. It is a very difficult trip for me. I am exhausted and grateful that there is someone to encourage me. Since that experience I no longer use letter-combination locks when trekking. They seemed a good idea since there would be no keys that could get lost - but these locks are very awkward to use in the dark. Beyond Dughla only the moon lights our way. Far away are the faint lights of our destination, Pheriche, which refuse to come closer. Probably because we do not follow the path exactly, we often step through a layer of ice into a layer of water below. I want to take my torch out of my backpack, however, since I can't work the combination lock in the dark I can't reach my torch. Just before we reach Pheriche, when it is in fact no longer necessary, we meet up with some people who carry lights and can assist us. At the examination at the medical post I am relieved to learn that I do not need to descend any further - a couple of days rest at this altitude should be sufficient for me to recover.
When we ascend behind Dughla, in the direction of Lobuche, I do not understand what is happening to me - I can hardly walk, each step takes a great effort and even giving my backpack to the guide does not help. I have been suffering from diarrhoea since we left Namche Bazar but I doubt that his can be the cause of my troubles. Walking like a drunkard I manage to reach a slightly flatter area at approximately 4800 meters, where monuments stand for climbers who died in their effort to reach the summit of Mt Everest.
My companions convince me that the altitude has got the better of me and that I need to descend. I wait there for the porter whom they promise to send from Lobuche to help me get down again. This porter turns out to be Kame Sherpa, who speaks a little English, and whom I met and talked to on an earlier occasion.
We go to the medical post in Pheriche. It is a very difficult trip for me. I am exhausted and grateful that there is someone to encourage me. Since that experience I no longer use letter-combination locks when trekking. They seemed a good idea since there would be no keys that could get lost - but these locks are very awkward to use in the dark. Beyond Dughla only the moon lights our way. Far away are the faint lights of our destination, Pheriche, which refuse to come closer. Probably because we do not follow the path exactly, we often step through a layer of ice into a layer of water below. I want to take my torch out of my backpack, however, since I can't work the combination lock in the dark I can't reach my torch. Just before we reach Pheriche, when it is in fact no longer necessary, we meet up with some people who carry lights and can assist us. At the examination at the medical post I am relieved to learn that I do not need to descend any further - a couple of days rest at this altitude should be sufficient for me to recover.
Two days later our group is complete again and we leave Pheriche to walk to Phortse.
I realise, however, that I can't keep up with the others when we go uphill and I decide not to go along to Gokyo, but instead to make a leisurely return to Lukla via Kumjung, Kunde, Thame and Namche Bazar. Kame accompanies me on this trip. I feel quite well again but to be on the safe side I also consult a doctor in the hospital in Kunde.
I have very fond memories of that first trip with Kame.
I realise, however, that I can't keep up with the others when we go uphill and I decide not to go along to Gokyo, but instead to make a leisurely return to Lukla via Kumjung, Kunde, Thame and Namche Bazar. Kame accompanies me on this trip. I feel quite well again but to be on the safe side I also consult a doctor in the hospital in Kunde.
I have very fond memories of that first trip with Kame.
Before we left Nepal I gave Kame some extra money so he could attend English language lessons and I promised him that I would return for a trek to the Everest Base Camp with him. That trek we made in 2003.
Since 1997 I feel that my annual programme is incomplete without at least one month in Nepal. And each time I go, Kame travels with me, not only for trekkings but also for excursions in the Kathmandu Valley and other regions.
Since 1997 I feel that my annual programme is incomplete without at least one month in Nepal. And each time I go, Kame travels with me, not only for trekkings but also for excursions in the Kathmandu Valley and other regions.