The trail began on a narrow ridge crest and continued up through the dense, primary rain forest. The path followed the ridge, rose steadily with a few steep sections to the first tented camp at Umbwe caves.

From Sean:  We cruised to Umbwe caves. Munched on biltong thanks to Adonis. Dean on his 3rd chesterfield by midday and Jonathan brought […]

The all lads group departed this morning from Joburg at 07:45 on an almost empty 1time flight to Zanzibar.  After a short stop-over in Zanzibar, a Precision Air flight will take them via Dar es Salaam and finally to Kilimanjaro airport.  Sms received from Sean said the flight was delayed in Dar es Salaam for 3 hours which means they’ll […]

From Sean “We’re in Kathmandu….there was a moment this morning when the weather looked marginal to fly. Goose and Debs were nervous on the wing but bit their lips and and sweated out the Lukla catapult to the luxurious Hyatt.

Evereyone spent the day resting and the last person I saw was Roy […]

 Most people head towards Lukla with a heavy heart…whilst looking forward to the luxury of a five star hotel. Tonight will be spent celebrating with the sherpas and the porters who make the trip possible by guiding and lugging everyone’s gear to Gorek Shep.  Tomorrow, if the weather is clear, is another opportunity […]

 The group will take a leisurely stroll back to Phakding while listening to the constant cheerful clinking of mule, cattle and  yak bells.

Received from Sean: After two days of windy, snowy trekking out from Everest Base Camp we are back in Namche Bazaar and back on the dial-up. What a jol we have had!  Ups and downs a plenty, lots of laughs and an argument.

The other night we had an argument about illegal aliens in […]

The group will descend through a forest to the Dudh Kosi.  From the very pretty crossing point, they climb to a chorten (mound like structure containing Buddhist relics) where there are wonderful views back across the valley to Phortse, Tengboche, and the surrounding mountains.  Eventually they will turn south off the main […]

Just heard from Sean.  All is well and the group is now ensconsed at Pangboche.  The weather has been pretty awful today.  There’s been snow, it’s been freezing and now it’s pouring with rain.  They didn’t make it to the research Centre because of the bad weather.  But everyone is in good spirits, huddled up and relishing being […]

The group will descend all morning, have lunch in Periche and arrive in Pangboche this afternoon.  Before they reach Periche, they may take a small detour to the fascinating High Altitude Science Technology & Research Centre.

Periche  is the last inhabited villiage below Mt Everest.  The Himalayan Rescue Association operates a medical post here […]

 After a relatively swift walk to Base Camp, they are now back at Gorek Shep resting. Very good weather but forecast says that it will deteriorate. There could be up to 10 inches of snow.  Most of the Everest climbers at Camp 2 (6560m) and Camp 3 (7300m) are climbing back down to Base Camp because of the lousy forecast.  Hopefully it […]