Kathmandu October 3rd, 2012

Ross, Frank and Brenda at the Encounter Hotel

We arrived in Kathmandu on Friday 28th Sept, we waited for Frank's Thai flight and then took the car to the Encounter Hotel for Frank and then onto our flat.  The flat had recently been vacuumed and dusted and was nice and clean - thanks Diku and Phurba.  Frank joined us for a lovely dal bhat dinner at the Sherpa family home that evening.

The following day Ross and Frank met with Tendy and their guide Mingmar, and after discussing business, Tendy left and Mingmar took them to the hire shops to get the stuff they didnt already have for their Mera Peak trek, crampons, plastic boots etc.    I decided to go with Frank and Ross to Lukla and then walk up to Namche Bazar, leave them there and trek with Phurba to Gokyo and then down to Thame before returing to Lukla and Kathmandu.

Our flights were booked for Monday, so nice and early to the airport and then a lovely long wait for the weather to clear for the flights to leave.  By two pm all Lukla flights had been cancelled and resheduled for the following day, but only after the pre booked flights for the following day.  A disapointing ride back to the hotel and our flat.



Frank, Phurba and Ross waiting at the airport for

the 4X4 to take them to Jiri

Tuesday, we didnt have to get up so early because our flight had was now scheduled at 12.30, so 9.30am dal bhat lunch at Phurba's and then back to the airport. I might add that it is quite hot here, humid and dusty, and sometimes you cant tell if it is smog or clouds in the sky! So lugging the bags with the climbing gear around brings out a sweat.

Things didnt look good at the airport with groups of people sitting outside. Once the doorman found out we were going to Lukla he didnt want to let us in but Phurba lied and said were were taking a helicopter. Things looked worse inside with people sitting around mountains of luggage and we found out not one flight had taken off for Lukla so there was absolutely no way our flight would ever get off the ground, so back outside for a discussion.

"Can we get a seat on a helicopter?" no, "can we charter a helicopter?", maybe if we are prepared to pay $3000 for a 5 seater!!! forget that, so R and F decided to hire a 4 wheel drive and leave for Jiri immediately. It took awhile for Tendy to find a car as other people had the same idea and cars were becoming scarce, but eventually Tendy hired one. Two porters who are going on the trek to Mera were hired to carry the gear from Jiri to Lukla and off they went at about 2pm. Phurba and I werent keen to walk in from Jiri as it is very hilly and it would be a hot walk this time of year. 



Frank ready for the drive to Jiri

Phurba and I had discussed a trek to Manaslu but the minimum permit is for two people so after looking at the map we decided on Rowaling Valley, neither Phurba or I have been there.  We need to find a porter who has been there to help carry our gear.  Rowaling Valley is below Gaure Shankar mountain, just to the left of the Solu Khumbu area.  Fortunately we need to take a bus to the start of the trail, so no more flights!!

Ross phoned last night at about 9.30pm, we had arrived at Jiri, and were about to sit down to dinner before crashing, they were both looking forward to the trek to Lukla