And now to Everest Base Camp: onward and upward

Being the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest has a mystique and reputation that sets it apart from any other mountain. It is just over 60 years since Edmund Hillary and Tanzing Norgay first reached the summit. We are very conscious of the fact that many others have paid a high price for trying to do the same, or in making preparations for others who want to. We feel we are as ready as we are ever going to be, to tackle getting to the Base Camp. Who would have thought we would ever be doing this?

Our last week of work for 2014 has just finished. Its hard to believe we have been here three years already; so much discovered, so much still to enjoy as we see it. We have said goodbye to a number of good friends who have finished up with MAE this week. Of our intake year, we are the only 2 returning. It was also Richard's birthday on Thursday so we joined him at the Crazy Elephant for the last time for the year. 

Then Eric arranged a farewell from MAE for Peter on Saturday night.

The year wouldn't be complete without a final social event at Sque Bar in Clarke Quay. 

And today we leave for Kathmandu. On our trek we will get to enjoy many of the awe-inspiring views that Hillary and the other mountaineers have seen without being subjected to the physical traumas and dangers that they endured as we are only going to the base of the famous mountain. Along the way, we will trek past remote monasteries and isolated villages that have changed little over the centuries.

After 3 nights in Kathmandu we take a 45-minute mountain flight to Lukla. 
Following the valley of the Dudh Kosi River, the winding path will take us upward to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar and its 1600 residents. We stay here a second night to help acclimatize.
We will get our first glimpse of Mount Everest as it peeks above the Lhotse-Nupstse Ridge as we continue up but the base of the mountain is still many days away.
Slowly ascending in order to acclimatize to the high attitude, we will pass through small villages on the way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Sagarmatha National Park and the Tengboche Monastery. Tenzing Norgay grew up in this village and the connection with Hillary’s Foundation remains strong. We stay a second night to help acclimatize at Dingboche.
Ascending further, we will arrive at Kala Pattar, a rocky outcrop west of Everest. This vantage point offers fantastic views of Everest’s Ice Fall and the South Col. The journey continues, climbing gradually until we reach the base camp. If all goes well it will take us 8 days to get up, though the next day at Kalapattar is actualy our greatest height, then 4 days to return to Lukla along the same route.

• Day 01: Dec 1 Arrive in Kathmandu– late. Overnight Potala Guest House. 

• Day 02: Dec 2 Kathmandu sightseeing. O/N Potala Guest House. 

• Day 03: Dec 3 Kathmandu  hire/ buy equipment etc.O/N Potala Guest House.

• Day 04: Dec 4 Fly to Lukla (2,795 m) and trek to Phakding (2,610m). 

• Day 05: Dec 5 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480m). 

• Day 06: Dec 6 Namche Bazaar - acclimatization day. 

• Day 07: Dec 7 Trek to Tengboche Monastery (3,860m). 

• Day 08: Dec 8 Trek to Dingboche (4,350m). 

• Day 09: Dec 9 Day trip to Chhukung valley (4,710m) and return trek to Dingboche. 

• Day 10: Dec 10 Trek to Lobuche (4,920m). 

• Day 11: Dec 11 Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,300m), then back to Gorak Shep. 

• Day 12: Dec 12 Visit Kalapattar (5,545m), and trek to Pheriche (4,240m). 

• Day 13: Dec 13 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480m). 

• Day 14: Dec 14 Trek to Phakding (2,610m). 

• Day 15: Dec 15 Trek to Lukla (2,795 m). 

• Day 16: Dec 16 Flight to Kathmandu. O/N Potala Guest House

• Day 17: Dec 17  Depart Kathmandu late to arrive in Singapore on the 18th.