Lukla-Namche Bazar

So this will certainly be the most detailed blog entry of my trek to Everest Base Camp because I have internet! So here it goes:

I was up at 5:00 in order to finish my last minute packing because I need to be at the airport by 5:45 for my 6:15 flight. So early! I also went to bed late because I was just making sure everything was in order. Shangri-la, where I stayed in Kathmandu, called me a taxi and I was off to the airport. I checked in, paid my fuel surcharge fee, and waited to board my little 20 passengerish plane. I was so tired! I did finish my bagel I brought for breakfast on the plane. The landing was everything I expected, abrupt, but not necessarily scary by any means. I got off and was hasseled for a guide or porter. I am not going to get one until higher elevations or unless I do not feel comfortable trekking alone. However, once I was on my way, I met two Nepalese guys who were headed to Namche. I figured I may as well go that far, because this will be the only opportunity to gain as much elevation as I did (nearly 3000ft for the day!) I didn't know how far I was going, but decided to stick with them at least to walk with people. We took several rest break, especially towards the end of the day, and also found one of the boys' brothers on the trail. I stopped for tea once, but pretty much just snacked on a clif bar, nature valley bar, and some sweets. The weather was dry, with only about an hour gap where it lightly rained. This was definately going to be my longest day of hiking (10hours), and I plan from now on to definately stop for meals more consistently. Once arriving at Namche, it was cloudy in the hills so unfortunately you could not see Everest. The older brother stopped by where he was staying, we went in for tea and noodles, and then he took me to a place to stay. It was so great! I really hardley needed to arrange anything. Exhausted, I unpacked my things, looked at a map to plan my trek, and passed out.

The following morning I woke up at 9am to a knock on my door, the brother had come to make sure I didn't have a headache and was feeling alright. I feel absolutely fine. I can tell that the rest of the trek (obviously) will be much slower, not only to altitude, but also the terrain is much steeper. I walked down into town on my way to a bakery and internet cafe and saw Brittany! A girl from my program. Turns out we will likely be at base camp the same time. They are taking a different route or else I would have gone with them, plus I need this acclimation day.

My plan, that I will let you know how it goes is as follows: I have the extra two days for acclimitation because I will likely spend an extra night somewhere on the way up, but am not sure where that will be yet.

9th: Namche (3,440m, 11,286ft)
10th: Tengboche (3,860m; 12,664ft) or Pangboche (4,010m; 13,156ft)
11th: Periche (4,240m; 13,911ft)
12th: Thokla (Dughla) (4,620m; 15,157ft)
13th: Lobuche (4,910m; 16,109ft)
14th: Gorak Shep (5,140m; 16,863ft)
15th: Everest Base Camp (5,364m; 17,598ft)
16th: Kala Pattha
17th: Lobuche
18th: Periche
19th: Pangboche/Debouche/Tengboche
20th: Namche
21st:
22nd:
23rd: Fly out of Lukla at 7am!