Made it to EBC

Namaste, all.

Dan's dad posting here.

Well, it looks like there have been some alterations to the pre-trek plan. We have got a little info from Mary's posting on Mike's blog. The group has successfully travelled to Everest Base Camp (5364m) and had tea and apple pie at the 'bakery' set up by some Sherpas at EBC - probably the highest bakery in the world at about 17,400 or so.

They will not be able to head over the Cho La (a high pass - 5330m)) to the west since the recent snow in the area has put this route out of condition. So, they have turned and are returning down the valley. They may head east from Dingboche towards the Chunkung area or they may head back towards Namche Bazaar and try to reach the Gokyo Lakes area from the south instead of reaching them by crossing the Cho La.

Some of the group were able to get up Kala Pattar (5440m), a small mountain which always was the high point of the whole trip. From there, they would have had excellent views of Everest (which one cannot see from the base camp.)

Too bad they could not complete their intended route, but that is something that one must accept in the mountains; weather and conditions dictate the decisions for experienced people. If the pass was out of condition, following the adage that "it's easier to stay out of trouble than to get out of troouble" becomes paramount. One needs to be prepared to turn back if the conditions, the weather, or the health of a group member is doubtful, whether in the Rockies or the Himalayas. The mountains will always be there; the key is to make sure that you are so you can return later.

There should be increased internet access soon, so the lads should be posting in the near future. If we get any information, I'll pass it along.

Cheers

JP