Monjo to Namche. The walk starts with a fairly easy trek for about 1.5 hours or so then we hit the big hill. The biggest issue with walking up hill at altitude is walking at a slow steady pace. It doesnt take much to over exert and before you know it you are puffing with this horrible feeling that you just cant get enough oxygen..
Our pulse rates are up at about 130 and even at rest remain around 95 / 100. Anyway, after at least 2 hrs up we were getting close.. the jopkoy cows with horns go up amazing terrain with 60kgs on thier backs.
Namche is a cool town / heaps of stalls to peruse and the lodge is clean and the food is ok. I have been living on variations of fried rice, omellettess and hot chips. So far Herwin and i have avoided the dreaded trots with lots of hand sanitising..
Yesterday we also came across the worlds most disgusting squat toilet.. high on top of a hill in an old block building was this thing..words can not describe it. We are still undecided wether to post a piccy of it..
Today we are going for another 6/7 hr stroll up to check out the views of Everest and get some more altitude training.
My impressions so far are of a very friendly and willing people living in incredibly basic conditions which of course they find normal. The scenery is HUGE. you just cant capture it on film. There have been some physical challenges so far but the altitude is the big thing, being puffed, slight headaches, tiredness from only getting 5 hrs sleep a night or so. The Diamox we are taking for this makes me pee twice through the night, and big ones too.. Ive been practising using the pee bottle in bed and havent had any failures yet but Herwin had a funny story to tell this morning... We are having a great time, lots of laughs over our typical basic bloke issues / read farting burping etc.
Yesterday we treked a little higher for a view of Everest and came across the worlds worst squat toilet. I rivals even Scotlands worst toilet from the movie train spotting. Words fail us so only a picture can truely show what we mean.........
To all of you at home we are thinking of you / love you lots..
Great to see the pic's, sounds like you guys are having a great time. Look forward to the next installment. Cheers, Dan.
ReplyDeleteAl... you're a very brave man. phew, i know none of us can stand the smell dad lets off 24/7.
ReplyDelete(Luke: I concur a man able to survive that is worthy of a VC)
*cough cough*
Anyhow... glad that you monkey boys are having a blast (literally!) Need to get going to bed so miss you lots and have fun dad ;P) Sam xxooxx