The Trek so Far !

It's finally a rest day - well that is if you call trekking for 2 hours up 400 metres in altitude a rest - and time to reflect on the trek so far after 10 days on the nose!

The Jiri section was certainly tougher than we'd both expected with reaching Namache already having seen us climb the height of Everest of some 9,000 meters on paths that at times were incredibly steep !

Back that up with rocky and at times ankle  breaking descents and add in the daily trekking routine that usually includes a 6.30 a.m. get up in the cold , breakfast, packing and a cold water  splash gives you an impression of how tiring life can on the rail can be !

Against that the scenery and people have been amazing !

As easy as it would have been flying direct into Lukla we would have missed out so much including a real up close and personal view of Nepali life ranging from smiling school children walking miles to school to the local villagers so far removed from the services we take for granted to the porters carrying huge loads of food and / or materials to service the outlying Nepali villages.

The main track has brought out all the good and bad of trekking in this area - the good has been accessibility to world best scenery while the bad has been accessibility bringing many tourists and consequently many business's trying to capture a dollar in a Country that relies so much on tourism

Nepal is really an amazing place and in talking to fellow trekkers  you will meet many who come back time and time again to take in its scenic wonders and its cheap prices

It has been hard enough for me but Monika  has really stretched her limit with only the thought of supporting her two causes, Berwick Primary School and Kids Help line at times keeping her going

It is life well living if one can on occasion step outside your comfort zone and undertake something that adds value - for this reason I have nothing but admiration for What Monika is doing !

From Namche it is  up up up the Khumbu Valley where altitude rather than distance becomes the real nemisis.With shorter but slower walking days ( I would have not thought that any more slower walking was possible !) we carefully acclimatize as we aim to reach Everest base camp and more importantly the spectacular views of the Himalayas from Kalapatar at 5,600 metes

For the moment its time to get back to my Apple Pie !