Rest Day...Up Day - Tilman Trek Reloaded
28 Oct, 09 - 9:21
Snowflakes fall from the Kanadian heavens as I reflect upon our first (of many) Tilman Trek(s). Toady the Toad just got bigger...and there's a bit of a collage video from the first week of our epic journey. Check it all out below...if you dare! B^)
**********
October 18th, 2008
Toady the Night Toad
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.
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. =^]
Everest is still a few horizons away!
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.
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. =^]
Breakfast on the Rest Day
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^)
We were the local curiosity
Batteries were solar charged, emails were answered, bodies were washed...and dinner was roast chicken! =^P
Roast Ranch Chicken...Yum. =^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
Bajee Namgel, Etienne and Phill have a rest.
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. =^]
A rest stop for the porters
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!! =^)
Click on the play button to watch this video and/or dowload to view
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL
Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
PhillMichael.COM
SherpaSchool.ORG
SecretSpotStore.COM
Snowflakes fall from the Kanadian heavens as I reflect upon our first (of many) Tilman Trek(s). Toady the Toad just got bigger...and there's a bit of a collage video from the first week of our epic journey. Check it all out below...if you dare! B^)
**********
October 18th, 2008
Toady the Night Toad
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.
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. =^]
Everest is still a few horizons away!
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.
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. =^]
Breakfast on the Rest Day
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^)
We were the local curiosity
Batteries were solar charged, emails were answered, bodies were washed...and dinner was roast chicken! =^P
Roast Ranch Chicken...Yum. =^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
Bajee Namgel, Etienne and Phill have a rest.
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. =^]
A rest stop for the porters
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!! =^)
Download | Duration: 00:03:38
Click on the play button to watch this video and/or dowload to view
Until Soon
Phill =^)
PHILL MICHAEL
Expedition Leader and Summit Climber
Everest Freestyle Expedition/Secret Spot Seven Summits
SecretSpot.NET
PhillMichael.COM
SherpaSchool.ORG
SecretSpotStore.COM
Posted by Phill Michael at 10/28/2009 8:42 AM 
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Categories: Oakley, SecretSpotStore.COM, SecretSpot.TV, tibet, Everest, Sherpa, HumanEdgeTech.com, Kathmandu, SkypeVidCon, SatellitePhoneStore.com, SecretSpotAfrica, SecretSpotEverest.com, SecretSpotStore, Mustang, Tilman Trek Reloaded, BGAN, Frick, Nepal, Phill Michael, Podcast, SherpaSchool.ORG, Kathmandu Guest House, secretspot7summits.com, Kilimanjaro, SecretSpotAlaska, phillmichael.com, Alberta, SecretSpot.NET, Email, Video Conferencing, Surefire, Buddhist Tankas, Inmarsat, Tilman Trek, Medtronic, Loose Cannons, Satellite Phone Store, Seven Summits
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