We all have arrived at the village of Namche at 11200 feet. We had a beautiful morning on our acclimatization hike to 12500 feet. Everyone had there first view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and several of the high peaks. I always feel small and insignificant, humbled to walk amongst these peaks.
Ama Dablam holds many memories for me. I spent 3 seasons on the peak with my head Sherpa Chapa. Chapa passed in August of 2007. To view Ama Dablam today from a distance sparked a landslide of emotion. I can feel him watching over me as he always did.
His son Gombu Sherpa is on this trip with me helping with the trekking clients. I have been passing stories to Gombu about his father and how great of a Sirdar(head Sherpa) he was. Today Gombu said to me "I will try to be a great Sirdar like my father".
One story that sticks out in my mind happened on Ama Dablam. I had hiked to camp 1 on Ama Dablam with Chapa and clients. We set up tents and Chapa went on his way back down to Base camp 3 hours away. As I crawled in my tent I realized I had forgotten my sleeping pad. It was going to be a cold night without a pad and 20 digree temperatures. I emptied my pack and spread out the climbing rope and settled in for a long uncomfortable night at 18000 feet.
At 8 pm in the cold evening I see a headlamp through the icy tent wall. Chapa pokes his head in and tosses my sleeping pad in. He had descended to Base Camp and ascended back to camp one when he noticed my mistake. He said "I go down now" and he was gone. I think he had traveled 11 hours that day just to keep me safe.
We went through climbing gear today and we are all packed to go. Everyone is healthy.
This will be my last entry until We get off the mountain around May 20th. Would love to hear from you.
Good luck Matt and crew, Keep safe!! Carolyn
ReplyDeleteEveryone be safe. I've been thinking of you all. Someone give David that shot extra hard for me. lol I'm his sister. Tell David I love him. will see him when he gets home.
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteYou write beautifully... as you live... and as you surround yourself with loving, caring individuals so, too, are you that love and care... it radiates from your eyes, your spirit, your infectious smile.
You are indeed in your element in the high mountains of the world - closer to the highest beings who walk the earth, and those who soar among us. Keep your feet on the ground and snow for a long time - you have much to share here.
As I stated at the airport, several times: I am so glad that it is with You that Christo is making his first journey to the Himalayas! It is only through your words here on your site that I have the opportunity to see through his eyes... so, Thank you.
My heart follows you each along your route every day. What you experience is personal for every one of you as it includes what you all have brought to the trek: history, emotions, goals, fears even, perhaps doubts of ability... When the group returns, each in it will be changed forever, having accomplished what they set out to do and left parts of their individual baggage on the mountain - the non-physical - which cannot be packed down. They will have you as their catalyst forever linked to these feats.
This must be so very rewarding for you. And still you remain so beautifully humble and Self-aware. What a treasure they have in their midst having you to guide both their bodies and psyches from your own years of experience, trials, and magnificent gratitude for waking each day.
Wake tomorrow with the knowledge that you have touched yet another life back in this 'home' in Seattle... mine. Please give Christo a giant hug from me and share my love his way. Then wake again the next day... Climb on my new friend!
Namasté,
Nicole
One of my favorite memories of the trek in April 2004 was having lunch with Chapa and his family once we returned to Kathmandu. It's wonderful that his son is hearing stories of his father from you.
ReplyDeleteSafe climbing. Stay strong like yaks!
Laura