Mount Everest Personal Journals |
I have been contacted by people who have actually made the trip to Mount Everest Base Camp. These are their personal accounts. These are considered 'primary source' documents if you are using this site for research ;) |
Lynn Davis My trek was truly one of the ultimate experiences in my life. Of course, it was emotionally and physically taxing. And cold. (For 23 days I could not wash my hair!) Late May, when we descended it was so rainy we were stranded in Lukla (a starting and ending point) for days and days with hundreds of climbers and trekkers. And leeches that would, I swear, leap through the air to attach themselves! My trekker position was part of the 1989 American Everest team, a team organized by Dick Bass (owner of Snowbird Ski Resort in SLC) who was the first man to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents. Trekker positions were sold even then to raise sponsorship money but not to the degree or expense or peril they inspire now. I replaced a Revlon executive who bowed out a month before the excursion because of political unrest in Kathmandu. I went at cost -- which was expensive nevertheless. Peter Hillary (yes, Sir Edmund Hillary's son) was part of the American team that year. (Go figure, he lives in New Zealand.) He did not summit that year but two Canadian brothers on our American team (yes, we had several who were not U.S. citizens) summitted that year. As you can tell, I could go on and on about the experience. I highly recommend it -- to appropriate personalities. And would like to take my children when they are older, and if they interest and motivation. It's so nice to "meet" someone who has the same fascination and respect. Perhaps we will "meet" again. Lynn Davis (I met her playing internet "pictionary" games!) |
Class trip with Graham Foulds Nepal 2002 Nepal 2002 was an unforgettable experience that had been enjoyable, challenging and eye opening. The volatile political situation in Nepal was a worrying factor before our departure, but after months of planning and thorough preparation on Mr Foulds' behalf, the group received a go-ahead from the parents and the school. So on Tuesday March 26th, 10 excited senior boys and 9 adults including two College staff departed for Nepal. After a 10-hour flight to Singapore the boys decided to explore the nightlife of the city for a brief time before leaving for Kathmandu early next morning. Kathmandu greeted us with many unexpected features. The atmosphere of the city, which was surprisingly warm, sticky and dusty, was occupied by a million locals who all seemed to be staring at us wherever we travelled. Our first five days in Nepal were both relaxing and action-packed. After meeting up with Torrie Moore, an old boy of our school, and a Nepali student called Prakash who accompanied us throughout the trip, we visited famous tourist destinations in and around Kathmandu, such as Monkey Temple and Patan. Our second day in Kathmandu coincided with a Nepali festival called "Holi", where the whole city came together in a gigantic water fight involving water bombs and coloured dyes. Since we were tourists, we soon became the public target and got pelted by huge amounts of water. After "Holi" day we departed for Royal Chitwan National Park. Set in a tropical climate, Chitwan was full of wild animals and bugs of various sizes. We spent three days there, trying out jungle safari on foot and on elephant-backs, and also drifted past sleeping crocodiles in canoes. One group's close encounter with a rhinoceros is something they will never forget. We returned to Kathmandu in a hair-raising bus ride, refreshed for the main phase of our trip the 23-day trek. We flew out to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley to start our trekking. A few days were spent at Khari Khola, where work was done on the floor of the classroom extensions at Mera School that we had been raising money for. Clothing, presents and balloons were given out to the village children, and the happiness on the children's faces made this trip that much more rewarding. The 'real' trekking began after our work on Mera School. Over the next 15 days, the group gained altitude quickly but steadily, conquering hills and mountains that at first seemed impregnable. Dr David Murchison and another Nepali student named Raj also joined us. During the course of the trek, as we got higher and higher, we were slowly being surrounded by the world's most magnificent scenery. The group trekked up valley to Namche Bazaar, side treks to Thame and Khumjung and then on to Tengboche. We gained startling views of Amadablam and jet stream cloud rising off the South-East ridge of Everest. All but 4 people, who suffered from various altitude-related sicknesses, made it to Everest Base Camp, situated at 5350m. The New Zealand expedition based there treated us to afternoon tea. Most of the boys and some determined adults, in the early hours of the next morning reached the top of Kala Patar, where there were great views of the sun rising over Everest and the Khumbu Glacier. Here, the group split into two: those who were healthy and fit went through the Cho La Pass over snow-covered glacier to reach Gokyo Lakes, where the best view of Everest was. The rest turned back down valley and began the rapid descent. Near the end of trek, parties were held to thank our Sherpa and porter friends, who had contributed so much to the well being of the group. The weather up in the mountains changed often and rapidly. On some afternoons and overnight there were gentle dustings of snow. However, we were lucky to have crisp clear mornings and blue skies above snow-covered peaks all around. The volatile political situation in Nepal did not pose a threat to our safety. There were armed policemen and army patrols in some of the villages we stayed in. The group got involved in a number of sporting fixtures with the locals, such as soccer, volleyball and cricket, and they were highly enjoyable. After getting back to Kathmandu, our long but memorable trip came to an end. I am sure that everyone who participated in the trip had seen and learned a lot during our time in this third-world country. We will never forget the experience of Nepal 2002. On behalf of the boys that took part in the trip, I wish to thank Mr Foulds and Mr Johnson for all their hard work and support, and for their patience in coping with our enthusiasm. I would like to thank especially Mr Foulds for his organisation, experience and leadership that made this trip-of-a-lifetime possible. Wookjin Lee NOTE from Graham Foulds: My introduction to Nepal was through a wonderful American women who was doing peace corps work there in the early 1980's. She invited our family into her village school in Gampersal, a day's walk in from Gorkha. It was such an experience that kindled my love for Nepal and their charming people, especially the sherpas. We have kept up the contact and visited her in Vermont about 5 years ago. Cheers ... Graham :-) email: gfoulds@christscollege.com |
