Where they are now...we think

Dan's dad here...

The lads and their group should be in Pheriche, farther up the trail towards Everest Base Camp (where there is currently 8 inches of snow on the ground.) They have two nights in Pheriche to help with their acclimatization to the higher altitude.

They were to arrive at Tengboche (3 syllables - pronounce the 'e'.) on Monday. This would be a bit of a distance from Namche Bazaar, but without too much altitude gain. Tengboche is the main Buddhist monastery in the area, but there are some services and places for visitors to stay. Traditionally, trekkers and climbers have an audience with the head Lama who bestows a blessing and drapes a white scarf around the traveller's neck.

There was supposed to be Internet access in Tengboche, but since no one from the group posted to either of the blogs, it is possible that the "cafe" was closed or the satellite link was down. From this point of the trek onward, there will be little Internet access.

We have heard that this year, there is an "Internet cafe" operating in Gorak Shep, which is just below the Mt. Everest Base Camp. So, it is possible that we may get a posting or an e-mail from there. If it is the latter, I will post the information on the blog. They are scheduled to arrive at Gorak Shep on Friday. BTW, Nepal is 8 hours and 45 minutes (really) ahead of Toronto time.

After Gorak Shep, it will be unlikely that they can find net access for a week or so. When they finish the northern loop of their trek and head back to Namche Bazaar, we should get something. Possibly, one of the bigger towns just north of Namche Bazaar will have Internet services.

In case you are wondering, we believe that their guide carries a satellite phone, so if there is a real emergency, he should be able to contact the appropriate services.

Namaste, all.