Island Peak Cybercast

10/12/08
Namaste from Namche Bazaar!

We have had a lovely day in the Khumbu. We awoke to totally clear skies with the stunning peak of Kongde Ri out our front door. After breakfast we hiked up to the museum where we were blessed with gorgeous views of Himalayan peaks in all directions. We caught our second view of Everest just behind Lhotse and Nuptse. We had our first experience of Ama Dablam which is such an unforgettable peak towering alone yet in the center of so many peaks. Other surrounding peaks were Tom Sur Ku, Kusom Kang, and Kumbila “God of the Khumbu”, a holy peak above Namche). We are truly enjoying the beautiful weather and great visibility.

Next we toured the Sherpa Museum which has great photos, and articles on the history of climbing in this area. It brings to mind how strong and amazing the Sherpa really are. Everest could not be climbed without them. It would be nearly impossible to be here and not be influence by this culture. So our appreciation for their work is increased as we recognize the challenges they must overcome. During a slide show at the museum, it was exciting to see photos of Namche in the winter with 3-4 feet of snow on the ground.

After lunch we had free time to roam around Namche which has a certain charm all on its own. Members enjoyed buying locally handmade gifts. Alexandra regretted not being able to capture a photo of the yak train and porters weaving through the tourist in the shopping district.

Another bonus today is having activation of our cook staff, as our food was a day behind getting here from Kathmandu. We had to eat in the lodges at first which is just not the same! We were immediately grateful at lunch today to have a delicious layout by Gopal, our head cook.

Tashi Delek!

Winslow

10/11/08
Namaste! We have safely arrived in Namche Bazaar at 11, 300 feet. Everyone is doing well! The weather today was ideal, and we thoroughly enjoyed the hike. We crossed many of the sturdy but swaying bridges adorned with prayer flags and katas (the white scarves given as blessings and then tied to the bridges for good luck). On the hike up the slightly less than grueling Namche hill we caught our first inspiring glimpse of Everest towering through the clouds. Though it was just a teaser of a view it was inspiring none the less. Some common themes we are talking about are how outstanding the whole experience is out here. There is just no way to put into words the sights, sounds, smells, and the smiling people of the Khumbu. It is surely spectacular beyond imagination. We are too busy taking it all in to come up with our team name just yet. Tomorrow we will slowly hike above Namche to the Everest view hotel, visit the Sherpa museum, and roam around downtown Namche. Thanks for keeping track of our journey!

Tashi Delek! (Sherpa greeting) Winslow

10/9/08
We had another day delay today, but things were so backed up that we did not have to go to the airport. So we spent another day relaxing and touring Katmandu. Some of us went to Patan Durbar Square, one of the three historic centers of the city. It was much quieter out today as it was the 10th day of the Daisan festival, and most places were closed. We saw numerous kites flying through the skies today as the kids were celebrating. We learned some very interesting history about Patan. This area was built during the Malla King era that was known as the immortal king. He told the people that he would not die until many impossible things happened such as the statue of Garuda (half eagle, half man) laying a diamond egg. One of the temples is carved from a single mass of rock with very detailed pictures and inscriptions. The hand carved wood here is as breath taking as the other pagoda style temples we have seen. We visited the temple where the women come to pray for protection of their husbands if they are married, and if not they pray to find a good husband. The boys come to check out the girls who are praying. We then had lunch on a roof top with great views of Patan, the Katmandu valley, and the surrounding peaks. Pictures could not capture the true essence of this busy landscape with all the kites adorning the sky.

Others relaxed at the Yak and Yeti and cruised the streets of Thamel.

We are scheduled to fly out tomorrow morning weather permitting! Namaste! Winslow

10/8/08
Hi everyone, We are still in Kathmandu. We did not fly into the Khumbu today as flights were canceled. We are hoping to fly in tomorrow. We did get to see some more of the amazing sites in town. After a wonderful lunch at the Thai restaurant, where we enjoyed eating in a courtyard full of trees, we visited the Kathmandu Durbar Square. The locals were lined up for a half mile to get into the Taleju temple. It is the highest bulding in town at 110 feet. It is illegal to build anything higher than this building. Here resides the goddess of war, Kali. Today they sacrifice buffalo and goats to appease her and avoid war.

There are many other temples here with very intricate wood carving done by hand. The Kathmandu temple is made from one single tree, and is thus named Kathmandu meaning temple of wood. There is a very lucky peice of wood inside that people rub to cure physical ailments.

The new Kumari, the only living goddess, was very popular today as well. She is just 3 years old. She will stay in a temple at Durbar square as the Kumari until puberty when a new Kumari is choosen. She is carried in a chariot around town during festivals. It is very lucky to see the Kumari.

Every direction we turned was breath taking. We then encountered the statue of the Bairab, where criminals were once brought to stand here and tell the truth. If here they were to lie, they would drop dead.

We will head to the airport again tomorrow to see what the day will bring. Thanks for being with us on our journey.

Namaste!

John and Sadhu

Durbar Square

John, Melinda, Ruth and Jeff at Teluja

Hanging at the Shiva Perbati Temple

The Bairab

10/7/08
Namaste from Kathmandu. This is Winslow Passey with the Everest Base Camp and Island Peak group. Everyone arrived on time with all baggage on hand. We had a lovely welcome dinner last night getting to know each other. It looks like we have a great team consisting of Melinda and Ruth going to Everest Base Camp. Continuing to Island Peak, we have Jeff, Robert, Alexandra and John.

Today we toured Kathmandu. We started at Swayanbhunath, the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world. The stupa sits on top of a hill over looking the Kathmandu valley, and it is colorfully illuminated with numerous prayer flags. It is also called the monkey temple, a nickname given by the hippies here in the 60's and 70's. Krishna, our tour guide, enlightened us all to the history and symbolism of the very detailed creation of the stupa. We explored the chakra bowls which upon striking vibrate and ring. When moved over the body it brings healing and clarification. Check out the photo of Jeff.

Next we went to Bodnath Stupa, the largest in the world. There are about 10,000 monks, and 20,000 Tibetians that live here. We found many interesting painting and gifts as we walked around this gorgeous stupa.

Along we continued to Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer. The temple is situated on the Holy Bagumati river that mingles with the Ganges River in India. This is where the locals cremate the dead a custom believed to purified the body so they can go to heaven.

We then enjoyed lunch in Thamel and picked up a few last minute items. We are very excited to fly into the Khumbu tomorrow morning weather permitting.

Thanks for following our journey, we will keep you updated!

Namaste (Bessing the highest quality in you!) Winslow

 

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