17th March 1991
Left Gatwick at
‘My home’, a new guest house, was smart. Two twin rooms, one with bathroom and roof area for drinking tea was 32 NP = $1.00 56NP = $1.00
Evening meal of soup, chicken
Numerous second hand climbing gear shops selling second hand goods; e.g. titanium ice screws at £3.00, friends at £8.00
Got up about
JB came to collect us and lead us to Mr..
Shatis’s office, a short distance away. His office was
very neat with a tidy wooden desk and display cabinet. Footballing trophies and
a photo of Japanese ascent of
After this, we felt in need of drink, food and a sit down. Mr. Shati treated us to a very good ‘Neralesse dinner; for NS45 plus coke and beer.
The day started lazily with breakfast of 2 fried eggs, toast and orange followed by reading and lazing on the roof of ‘My Home’. We eventually set out in search of the post office to buy stamps for post cards. This was eventually found – it consisted of a hole in the wall, close to lots of street vendors selling brass vases, decorative knives etc. Elsewhere, many vendors were offering tiger balm, flutes, jewellery, carvings, taxi rides, changing money etc. Most of the streets were narrow and dusty, with pedestrians and vehicles vying for space. Shops were mostly very small, opening directly onto the stret and piled high with goods. There were distinct areas selling different goods, e.g. climbing gear shops in one area, kerosene stoves/pots and pans in another, fresh food in another. Meat was left in the open to the air where it attracted many flies.
We had breakfast early at
Its sister was being boarded at the same time. The plane had
a single row of seats down one side and a twin over the other with the cockpit
open to the rest of the plane. Take-off was fairly smooth. However, after about 40 minutes, fairly
violent turbulence commenced just as we were getting good views of snow capped
peaks. This continued, intermittently, until we started our rapid descent to
the snowy, short, uphill runway. Just
before touch-down, the ground seemed to be approaching very fast. We then watched the sister plane land before
carrying our bags the short distance to the
After the meal, we set off on the trek, passing an array of yaks (like small cows with short horns) and young children who gave us flowers. The people here have very Chinese features. The trek from Cupla to Phaplang***** was generally downhill on a well used rocky track. There was a long steep drop to the fast flowing Dutch Kosi**** below. We stopped for a Fanta (NS40) on the way and waited for the porters to catch up. Immediately before Phaplang**** we crossed the river by a suspension bridge. Long after we arrived, a group of yaks crossed the bridge, with first one running then falling about half way across. It had to be helped on its way by its minder pushing it upright by climbing on the outside of the bridge. Apparently, a yak costs twice as much as a porter and carries twice as much.
Had poor nights sleep at Phapland****, partly because of smoke permeating the building from the kitchen and partly because of the heat (used sleeping bag). We all played safe and had porridge for breakfast.
We got up at
The trek continued to follow the Dutch Kosi**** and crossed it by means of suspension bridges. There always had wooden planks to walk on so were not too difficult to cross evening in strong winds. The river had had evidence of large floodwaters in the past probably when avalanches and snow melts – there were very high river banks.
As on the first day, we passed rhododendron bushes, pine trees, fir trees and spiky bushes. The temperature seemed very high and the sun was strong. Myself and Mal*** felt rough so could only eat some of the chips for lunch. The remainder were polished off by the other two.
We finally entered the Sagamartha **** National Park at
Jossale**** and paid our fees of NS250 each.
From here, there was a big drop back down to river level before the
final 3000 ft. climb up to Nombre Bazaar****.
On this stage, we had our first view of
We were glad to reach Numbre Bazaar****, a large settlement on the steep hillside. J. B. led us to our tea house which first impressions led us to think that was more up-market than the one in Phalpang****. There were fluorescent lights in the dormitory of 12 beds, apparently supplied by hydro-electric power installed about 9 years ago. The outside toilet had a note saying that it had been ‘used by many famous and not so famous people and that whilst not a national monument, it should be treated with respect and careful aim should be taken’.
Had another fitfull night’s sleep in the Tramserku View**** Hotel although the absence of smoke, due to the fact that the wood cooking range had a chimney going through the wall was an improvement. The others had Tibetan bread with jam and porridge for breakfast whilst I just had the bread. This came in the form of a very heavy, doughy but tasty roll.
We had a lazy time wandering round the shops. It seemed that there was a fairly good range of new and used mountaineering equipment for sale or hire. Nothing is priced in the shops but the storekeeper will quote a price immediately. We stocked up with 6 Mars Bars, 6 Dairy Milk 8 toilet rolls, 2 more gas bottles and 2 disposable lighters. The chocolate bars were NS40 each but we shall probably be glad of them later.
After shopping, we walked up to Everest View Hotel, at about 13,000ft (3850) for acclimatization purposes. We passed rock paintings, created by monks on the way. We also passed the air strip which could be used only by very full planes and K????
I was feeling the altitude, with a pulse rate of about 144 and a throbbing headache. Andy was feeling fit running back to collect Mal’s wallet (13 minutes) and the length of the air strip (300m). I felt better as we descended after eating a plate of chips!
After breakfast of porridge and ordinary toast and jam, washed in hot water in a metal bowl, ladelled out of a cistern attached to the cooking range. Then used the same water to wash a few clothes.
After this we walked round the market which started at
Finally, we set off on the trek at about 9.40a.m.. The path wound steadily upwards and provided views of Ama Dublan**** (very steep on all sides) and Nuprek **** (to the left).
The porters think that they would prefer not to stay at
Phortse**** (rather than the planned Dole) and we agreed. The tent at
Phortse**** was very small and smokey so we decided to camp just outside. We were later joined by a party of Americans
who were also heding for
A lot of snow fell during the night (about 4”) which made
the tent very dark inside before we cleared it. It was obviously a day for the ???? boots, although the porters continued, without complaint, in
their trainers. The wind was also quite strong, creating quite bad visibility
later on. It seemed a long hard struggle
up to Dole with JB leading, setting a tough pace. He explained that he liked to go faster
higher up. JB has 2 daughters and one
son (aged 1) and he rents his house in
The weather was deteriorating so we agreed to stay in the hut at Dole. This had a separate dormitory and kitchen so it looked OK. We had spicy tomato soup and cheese omelette for lunch wearing our duvets jackets as it was about 0’C inside.
After lunch Andy, Mal and myself venture outside in duvet jackets fully done up etc, in order to warm up. However, the powder snow is being blown making it very cold and near white out. We do not want to get lost so we head back after about 10 minutes.
I wake up at about 11.00p.m with very high pulse rate (120)
rapid heavy breathing and uncontrollable shivering. Andy does a very good of
calming me down and eliminating the shivering and reducing the heavy
breathing. Mike give
me a Diamox pill and I return to sleep.
However, wake
up with the same symptoms, only worse, at about
All the friends are awake at this stage and Mal wakes JB. Everyone offers to go with me (I learn of this later) but eventually Mike and JB fulfil the role. It takes about half an hour to sort out gear etc. whilst Andy keeps talking to me.
We eventually set off at about
Our head torches were very useful. However, it was a long and arduous journey, taking about 3 hours to Phortse.This included many pauses for me to rest briefly. We pass a police checkpoint about half an hour before Phortse – they were alerted to our torches and enquired about our reason for passing. They offered us a room on learning of our predicament and I was very tempted toaccept. However, JB said it would not be comfortable so we pushed on. I was very relieved when we finally reached Phortse.
Here Mike and JB pitched Mal’s Quacar**** tent very efficiently and I was bundled inside. Garlic soup ***** followed which I managed to drink. After this, I fell asleep almost immediately, totally exhausted.
The rest of the team, Mal, Andy and porters arrived at about 8.00am.taking one and half hours for the same journey. At this time, the skies very crystal clear and it was a beautiful day. Mike and I stayed in bed for porridge and lemon tea. JB had concocted some garlic noodles for me (apparently garlic has good effect upon altitude sickness). However,my appetite had not returned and I could only eat a few.
I eventually got up, feeling better and relieved to be alive but still very weak. I set off carrying my day pack as usual but it soon became apparent that even this was too much strain for me. Mal took if for the rest of the day.
It was a long and painful trip to Kunde**** with frequent stops for me to rest. Every ten yards seemed like the ascent of Elridge Wawr****. We thought that we must be nearly there when we saw Kunde on the hillside. However, the town stretched for a long way, with the hospital on the very far ridge.
The hospital was run by a Canadian and his wife with a local helper. After a short wait of about 10 minutes the doctor took me inside. He asked about my progress through the hills and my symptoms., making notes as I talked. He then put a sensor on my index finger attached to an electronic device which displayed my blood oxygen level. This was 53% compared to about 90% for a normal person.
He concluded that I had acute mountain sickness in a bad way (cerebal odema) and that my recovery would be speeded by an hour in his hyper**** bay. This was a cigar shaped device made of thick plastic with clear patches for windows and a zip to allow access. Once zipped up inside, the device was pumped up by a foot pump. It was topped up with a few more pumps every 10 cm or so to maintain the circulation.
My friends were shown round the hospital whilst I was inside
the bay. Apparently there were a few
in-patients but* most Nepalese porters to go home as soon as possible after
treatment.* Obtaining drugs is a great problem with
The day in the bay brought my oxygen level up to about 61%. The doctor gave me drugs for altitude (?) bacterial dysentery and to reduce the swelling in the brain.
I felt significantly better on the descent to Nambe Bazaar***, where we all returned to the ??? View Lodge. I still had little appetite so I struggled with my spring rolls before halfway. I slept well.
Mal had offered to continue descending with me with our porter, (Nina) carrying a rather large load. Therefore, after breakfast, we parted company wishing each other all the best. We paced ourselves? On the descent to Phakding and I could feel my strength returning, although very slowly. There were still a few ascents to be made, the longest being up the park entrance to Jopale***.
I’ve returned to the same lodge in Phakding, finding it
nearly empty when we arrived. However, it soon filled up with a large party
from
We ate the usual tomato soup, omelette and chips for tea, my
appetite having retuned. We also had 5
teas between us (at NS90 each – compared to NS5 for accommodation). We retired to bed at about
The ascent to Lukla*** was not at all bad, taking us 3
hours. Nima led us to the hotel where
our flight tickets were being kept for the return to
He suggested that we should spend the night in this hotel
and he would see about what he could do for tomorrow. In the meantime, we ordered lunch at his
hotel. However, he soon returned with
the news that, weather permitting, we would be able to
fly back on an extra plane currently flying for
We were soon aboard the plane with extra baggage charges waived.. There was only one other passenger aboard, a local. The take-off was very dramatic, with high acceleration and a very short distance needed.
After landing in