Rest Day...Up Day
18 Oct, 08 - 14:59
As we pounded our way through the darkness on Thursday eve, fireflies whirled above my head...their bioluminescence lighting our way. Once I turned on my Surefire E2D , I could see the orange eyes of huge spiders...and large toads observing me with indifference.
Toady the Night Toad
After gaining the 11500 ft Pass we descended into the Solu Khumbu district...and Everest Base Camp seemed slightly closer. We've still got a long way to go. =^]
The vertical 1500 ft we gained Thursday morning was lost by the time I found myself enjoying a Khukuri cigarette and some local whiskey at a tiny Rai roadhouse. We descended almost 5000 vertical feet from the Pass to where we sat down for dinner on Thursday eve.
Roast Ranch Chicken...Yum. =^p
I awoke at 430am on a relatively clear Friday...a rest day. It's quite easy to want to be awake (as much as possible) while absorbing these fascinating, natural surroundings.
My brain has been on fire(in a good way) and I'm constantly wishing that people I love could share this incredible experience. They know who they are. Rather than being 'jealous' about it...they should just be here. =^]
Dana had a cold...and Dawa too(though he'd never admit it)...and we were probably all feeling the need to have a 24 hour period of cleansing and relaxation. Soooo...relax we did. B^)
Bajee Namgel, Etienne and Phill have a rest.
Batteries were solar charged, emails were answered, bodies were washed...and dinner was roast chicken! =^P
I stayed up all night...and called into the Loose Cannons at 4am...so I was a bit of a sleep deprived zombie today.
The food has been simply outstanding on our excursion. Good food makes a trip...and our merry band of Sherpas are outdoing themselves with ridiculously hospitable behaviour.
'I very enjoy', as Dawa would say.
We had a new friend briefly join our party today. Etienne from Grenoble, France. He's the only Westerner we have seen since we left Tumlingtar...and he is 'flying' solo. His eyes were as big as saucers when he saw our typical lunch spread. As always...we are eating well. =^p
We descended to the River this morn...down...down...down. We were somewhere around 5000 ft by the time we reached the rickety bridge that crosses it. Then another uphill grind began.
We're setting up camp at about 7800 ft right now...in a pristine meadow...with Mani stones surrounding us.
I'm trying to convince Dana and/or Caroline to write a dispatch so that those of you who read my ramblings can enjoy a different perspective of our Tilman Trek. It could happen. Time will tell. =^]
YOU can virtually explore these remote parts of Nepal with us by subscribing to the SecretSpotEverest blog. What are you waiting for...a signed, embossed invitation (with a wax seal) to do so!?!? =^]
SUBSCRIBE!! =^)
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL | Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
SecretSpot7Summits.com
SecretSpotEverest.com
Blog.SecretSpotEverest.com
As we pounded our way through the darkness on Thursday eve, fireflies whirled above my head...their bioluminescence lighting our way. Once I turned on my Surefire E2D , I could see the orange eyes of huge spiders...and large toads observing me with indifference.
Toady the Night Toad
After gaining the 11500 ft Pass we descended into the Solu Khumbu district...and Everest Base Camp seemed slightly closer. We've still got a long way to go. =^]
The vertical 1500 ft we gained Thursday morning was lost by the time I found myself enjoying a Khukuri cigarette and some local whiskey at a tiny Rai roadhouse. We descended almost 5000 vertical feet from the Pass to where we sat down for dinner on Thursday eve.
Roast Ranch Chicken...Yum. =^p
I awoke at 430am on a relatively clear Friday...a rest day. It's quite easy to want to be awake (as much as possible) while absorbing these fascinating, natural surroundings.
My brain has been on fire(in a good way) and I'm constantly wishing that people I love could share this incredible experience. They know who they are. Rather than being 'jealous' about it...they should just be here. =^]
Dana had a cold...and Dawa too(though he'd never admit it)...and we were probably all feeling the need to have a 24 hour period of cleansing and relaxation. Soooo...relax we did. B^)
Bajee Namgel, Etienne and Phill have a rest.
Batteries were solar charged, emails were answered, bodies were washed...and dinner was roast chicken! =^P
I stayed up all night...and called into the Loose Cannons at 4am...so I was a bit of a sleep deprived zombie today.
The food has been simply outstanding on our excursion. Good food makes a trip...and our merry band of Sherpas are outdoing themselves with ridiculously hospitable behaviour.
'I very enjoy', as Dawa would say.
We had a new friend briefly join our party today. Etienne from Grenoble, France. He's the only Westerner we have seen since we left Tumlingtar...and he is 'flying' solo. His eyes were as big as saucers when he saw our typical lunch spread. As always...we are eating well. =^p
We descended to the River this morn...down...down...down. We were somewhere around 5000 ft by the time we reached the rickety bridge that crosses it. Then another uphill grind began.
We're setting up camp at about 7800 ft right now...in a pristine meadow...with Mani stones surrounding us.
I'm trying to convince Dana and/or Caroline to write a dispatch so that those of you who read my ramblings can enjoy a different perspective of our Tilman Trek. It could happen. Time will tell. =^]
YOU can virtually explore these remote parts of Nepal with us by subscribing to the SecretSpotEverest blog. What are you waiting for...a signed, embossed invitation (with a wax seal) to do so!?!? =^]
SUBSCRIBE!! =^)
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL | Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
SecretSpot7Summits.com
SecretSpotEverest.com
Blog.SecretSpotEverest.com
Posted by Scott Stanko at 10/18/2008 2:59 PM 
Categories: Everest, SecretSpot.TV, Oakley, Frick, Kathmandu, Phill Michael, secretspot7summits.com, Sherpa, Nepal, Medtronic, tibet, Surefire, Seven Summits, Tilman Trek, SecretSpot.NET, SecretSpotEverest.com
Categories: Everest, SecretSpot.TV, Oakley, Frick, Kathmandu, Phill Michael, secretspot7summits.com, Sherpa, Nepal, Medtronic, tibet, Surefire, Seven Summits, Tilman Trek, SecretSpot.NET, SecretSpotEverest.com
Phill, great IV w/ the loose cannons: Enjoying this with you via the blog. Sat Phone Store got you HOOKED up dood! L, John and Paty Baja, Mexico
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