EVEREST

April 21
Elevation 16,210’

Lobuche

The entire team is back! Everyone is feeling well enough to travel again. We trekked up to Lobuche - it was a hard climb. I’m still amazed at how strong and fit the Sherpas are carrying 100+ pounds on their backs and strapped across their foreheads!

April 20
Elevation 14,341’

Pheriche

We stayed in Pheriche one more day. Five people in our group are ill - likely something they ate. Electrolytes, rest, and antibiotics have been prescribed.
The rest of us went for a simple acclimatization walk/hike nearby. At the end of the day I was feeling a bit nauseous - but am attributing it to smoke from the biofuel (Yak dung) used to heat our lodge. I ate a simple but nourishing dinner (rice, lentil soup and potatoes) and went to bed early.

April 19
Elevation 14,341’ & 16,744’

Pheriche

Today is our “rest day”, but as Cacho says “a rest day is a moving day”. We hiked +2,000’ to the top of Nangkartshang, 16,744’. We had great weather again and detoured for lunch at Cafe 4,410’ in Dingbuche with great burgers! - Also, my bags containing all my summit gear have arrived (via Yak) at Everest Base Camp (EBC)!

AirTags are the BEST!

April 18
Elevation 14,341’

Pheriche

Blessed by a high Lama Today!!!
Today we trekked out to Pheriche, where we will spend two nights. It was a long day/hike up & down the valleys. I hiked with Dawa Sangge Sherpa. His nephew is Ang Phurba Sherpa & other family members also work at our EBC. He is short, funny & very strong. He has sumitted Everest 3 times. 

Visualizing the summit.

April 17
Elevation 12,532’

Deboche
We are having another AMAZING day with insane views of the highest peaks on earth!!!! How cool is the Peak Finder App? But also the Paco Finder version?

I've been spending time getting to know Ang Phurba Sherpa, who heads our Sherpa team. He has sumitted Everest 14 times! I’m glad I’ll be climbing Everest with him! He has also summited: Lhotse 3 times, K2 3 times, Manaslu 5, Daulagiri 1, Choyu 2, Makalu 1, Broad Peak 1, Ama Dablam 16. And outside the Himalayas: Vinson 2, Kilimanjaro 1, Aconcagua 1. I’m in good hands!

Can you see the tiny helicopter?

One more blessing before our trek out of Namche. I’ll take all of them!

Have you ever seen someone so happy to have warm popcorn?

Miga’s mountain cousin!

April 16
Elevation 11,286’

Everest Viewpoint
We spent another night in Namche Bazaar which gives us time to hike up to the Everest Viewpoint. What a view! Standing here, I can’t believe I’ll be walking all the way there!

April 15
Elevation 11,286’

Namche Bazaar
It’s another beautiful day. Our Dzo (yak + cow) moved our gear up the mountain. This is a larger village with lots of shops, restaurants and culture. We’ll spend two nights here acclimatizing and resting. My other duffle with all my summit gear is almost to Base Camp!

First room is mine

April 14
Elevation 8,563

Phakding
Today we took a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla. It was quite a ride and we even saw Everest on the way. After our full team arrived in a second helicopter, we hiked up to Phakding for lunch and will spend the night here in the Sunrise Garden Lodge.

April 13
Elevation 4,593’

Kathmandu
It’s a beautiful day here. I met my team for a pizza dinner. Two of the guides are from Argentina and speak Spanish. Tomorrow is Naya Barsha, the start of the year 2083. I’m looking forward to starting a new year on my greatest adventure yet.

April 12
Elevation 4,593’

KTM
Arrived to smiling faces and a Khata (welcome scarf). I even got to FaceTime with Alicia and her friends. I’m headed to the hotel and to get some sleep. I’ll meet my team tomorrow.

April 11
Elevation 16.4’

NYC
Departed NYC with 2 duffels and 2 backpacks. I have everything I need for 42 days. I had a quick layover in Delhi, India - My bags and all my technical gear (boots, crampons, axe, summit suit, goggles, and snacks) made it, whew!

Flight path re-routed around Iran.