In Search of the Illusive Yarsa Gomba

We are still on approach to our climb and one of our stops is the small village of Dole. We had a real treat in Dole. Urkin Sherpa took us on an acclimatization hike. Urkin was a Sirdar (head sherpa) for several of the early expeditions to the Himalaya. He is a wealth of knowledge and History. We followed him for several hours like little ducklings. He was silent most of the hike. At one point he dropped to his knees and began crawling on all fours. We all looked at each other puzzled. He tells us that there is a plant that grows here that cures cancer, it is rare but if you are lucky we will find one. He crawls and searches with a passion. "Ahhhh you are lucky today" Urkin wave us over.

He begins to explain the rare plant called Yarsa Gomba. At first several of us are in disbelief as he explains that the plant is not just a plant but half plant half catapiller. It is very rare to find one and we are all excited but confused. I ask him again "this is a bug and a plant in one?" He replies "you will see". We all drop to our knees to search for more, 5 Americans cralling on hands and knees at 15000 feet in a remote valley of the Himalaya. We all begin to laugh at the thought.

We follow Urkin back to the tea house and he drops the Yarsa Gomba into a bowl of water. Before our eyes a huge catapiller like bug shows itself. Its cocoon produces a plant which grows out of the head and produces 2 leaves. Urkin will eat it for breakfast and we are relieved that he does not offer it to us.

We hike to Machrmo tomorrow at 14600 feet.