The Eyes of Buddha
Watch Over Kathmandu
Young Monks.
Namche Bazaar,
Sherpa Capitol of Nepal.
Sherpa Friends Show Their Smiles.
Meghan Takes A Rest
Mt. Ama Dablam Behind
Tyangbuche Monestary,
Spiritual Summit for Buddhists.
Mt. Everest
Viewed from the Summit of Kala Patthar
The temperature is well below zero, but it feels good to be moving. Pausing to drink some water, my guide and Sherpa, Kumar, points to the sky.
Now, standing there on the frozen tundra, I see the sun rise over the highest mountain in the world. Soon, I will climb to above 18,000 feet to take its picture. Incredulous, this thought makes me laugh out loud.
I summit Kala Patthar just behind Kumar, although he stops short of the true top to allow me to pass and get there first. I take rolls of film.
Forcing myself to descend, it's time to trek to Base Camp. Kumar stays behind at Gorak Shep, and now Souk, another Sherpa, leads the way. Hours pass. In the heat of the noonday sun, I fight a headache that threatens to split my skull in two. I peel off clothes.
Arriving in fabled Everest Base Camp, I pull out of my pack the Buddhist prayer flags I have brought in respect of local Buddhist traditions and meditate. So, I say my prayers. Then, I watch Sherpas make preperations for a myriad of expeditions to summit Mt. Everest.
I spy the Khumbu Icefall near its base and marvel at those who would attempt to cross up and down it again and again.
Finally, sitting with my butt in a frozen stream, getting wet, but too tired to care, Souk asks me if I'm ready to leave.
Never. The answer is never.
I will relive this dream all the time. And if Meghan stirs me from this recurring daydream, I always ask, "Can you believe I have walked along side the Khumbu Glacier by moonlight...."
Nepal, for both of us, turned out to be our favorite country. We trekked for almost a month in both the Khumbu/Everest Region and later in the Annapurna Sanctuary. We enjoyed short stays in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Nepal's people and culture are as diverese as their mountains are tall. We cannot say how much the country impacted our travels, and our growing world consciousness. Already, we talk excitedly about returning and expanding our trekking/climbing opportunities. Nepal - truly, fantastic.
Thanks and messages of good will to friends Ananad, Kumar, Souk & Nima (from Nepal), Rick Boreham (from Australia), and Katie & Rob (from England) - to see a photo of this special trekking group go here, and return by clicking on the picture. You all made our stay in Nepal even more wonderful!
We hope you continue to look in on us, and please continue to Email us along the way! Also, Check out India from this link as well:
Links
Return to the home page via this link: David Frick
Return to the home page via this link: Meghan Van Vleet
Travel Log
Thailand
Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
October
September
August
July
June
May
David Summits Kala Patthar
Everest/Khumbu Himalayan Panorama
Souk Sherpa - David's Guide
(Everest Base Camp)
Anapurna Panorama - Mt. Dhaulagari,
Viewed from the Summit of Poon Hill.