Recent Ama Dablam post

Just back to Kathmandu after a very successful trip to Ama Dablam. Unfortuntaley I wasn't able to keep the Blog updated so I am copying the posts retrospectively.

28th Oct

Free drinks in 1st class may be fantastic, but the train's a little rocky round the corners and I've managed to spill mine all over my trousers. I can now look forward to travelling for the next 19 hours smelling like a well known cheap brand of coffee granules. Hmmm, NICE!

29th Oct

They have stopped giving frequent flyers an extra 10kg baggage allowance. Aaaarrrgghh! Beat a hasty retreat and repacked. Looked rather strange going through security wearing 3 pairs of trousers, 2 pairs of insoles and 3 wicky tops under my shirt. Nearly passed out.

Managed to convince the Xray staff that the reason I had 72 muesli bars in my laptop case is that I get hungry really quickly. Carry on bag now weighs about 18kg. Trying my best to look nonchalant.

30th Oct

Arrived in Kathmandu! Yip yip. Not sure which I need 1st - a proper shave, a bed or a beer. I guess I'll go to Sam's Bar to mull it over.

Kathmandu - it's bonkers out here. Busiest ever but great to be back. A chap asked if I wanted a shoeshine. I'm wearing sandals. What's he going to do, buff my toenails?

31st Oct

Got our Ama Dablam permit in only 30 mins. This has to be some kind of record.

1st Nov

Got 20 mins free and having my first Mocha since Thurs. Flying to Lukla 06.15 tomorrow!

2nd Nov

Arrived Lukla at 06.55 after the smoothest check in EVER. Met a few friends along the trail - it's good to be back.

3rd Nov

Arrived Namche 11.30 for lunch. Met more friends on the way. Looking forward to seeing Tashi at Kyanjuma. After a coffee & chocolate doughnut at Everest Bakery.

4th Nov

Ama Dablam STOP PRESS. Apparently AC have bolted The Yellow Tower. WTF?

5th Nov

Just arrived at Tengboche monastery. Sat outside at the bakery enjoying coffee & choc doughnuts in the sun before we mooch on to Pangboche.

10th Nov

Slept at ABC last night. Went to Camp 1 with Ian this a.m. & I'm now back in BC eating Jelly Belly jelly beans. They're tasty! I can't see them lasting long.

11th Nov

Bad news - my wet wipes have frozen solid. No more washing for me!

12th Nov

Ama Dablam news - Ian Wade summited at 09.11. He and Jabbu Sherpa made it to the summit in an incredible 4hrs 40mins from Camp 2. They'll be back in BC for tea!

My mistake - Ian made it to the summit of Ama Dablam in 4hrs 25!!! He & Jabbu are now back at Base Camp. A 12hr 20mins round trip Camp 2 - summit - BC.

15th Nov

Ama Dablam - Sean, Paul, Claire, Lucy & Adam going for their 4 day summit bid today. Another team head off 2moro. All camps established & every1 in fine fettle.

Ama Dablam - Sean & Co @ Camp 1 tonight. Michael, Frank, Ian, Phil & Kate heading up there 2moro. Remainder following the day after. Busy busy.

17th Nov

Ama Dablam - 3 folk heading for Camp 2.9, 5 heading for C2, 5 heading for C1 and 2 heading for ABC. Busy busy. Everyone well. Summit news to follow as and when.

18th Nov

Ama Dablam 2 on the way to the summit, 5 on the way to Camp 2.9 & 8 at Camp 1. Hoping for summit news in the next 5 to 6 hours.

Sean summited at 15.20. Should be back at Camp 2.9 imminently. Tomorrow 3 going for the summit tomorrow with Jabbu Sherpa & 6 folk heading to C2 with Lakpa.

19th Nov

Ama Dablam update - Phil summited 13.35 with Frank, Ian & Jabbu following at 14.45. Descending to Camp 2.9 tonight and Base Camp tomorrow. Well done guys!

20th Nov

Shaw & Andy @ C2.9 with Dave & Lakpa expected there imminently - hope 2 summit 2moro. Paul & Toby at ABC on their 5 day summit bid. Remainder heading down to BC.

21st Nov

Shaw, Andy & Lakpa summited at 13.45. Well done guys. Paul & Toby heading to Camp 2 tomorrow.

23rd Nov

Left Base Camp this morning & now at Tashi's eating cheese toasties, drinking Coke and waiting for a hot shower. Bliss.

25th Nov

Paul Lewis summited Ama Dablam yesterday and now it's a wrap. 9 (plus 4 Sherpas) climbed Ama & 7 plus 2 climbed Island Peak. A successful trip me thinks.

Hmmm - arrived Lukla & there haven't been any flights today. Could be mayhem trying to get back to Kathmandu tomorrow. We'll see.

26th Nov

Just arrived back in to Kathmandu from Lukla (nearly didn't get out). Off for a shave, a beer and a steak. And then some more beers.

Excess baggage

They have stopped giving frequent flyers an extra 10kg baggage allowance. Aaaaarrrrggh!

Beat a hasty retreat and repacked. Went back and weighed in 36 with a different stewardess without her mentioning a thing.

Looked rather strange going through security wearing 3 pairs of trousers, 2 pairs of insoles and 3 wicky tops under my shirt. Nearly passed out.

Managed to convince the staff that the reason I had 72 muesli bars in my laptop case is that I get hungry really quickly.

Carry on bag weighs about 18kg. Doing my best to look nonchalant.

Coffee

Free drinks on the train when in 1st class is all very well. Unfortunately not the smoothest of journeys so I managed to spill mine on my lap. Now looking forward to the next 19 hours smelling like a brand of well known coffee granules.

Hmmm - NICE!

It's been a while ...

Well Dear Reader, I have been inundated with a request to update the blog - so you are not the only person out there following the life and musings of Tim Mosedale / Elm Tree Lodge Guest House / Ama Dablam in a week's time / Everest Spring 2011.

So ... a very brief update. We've had a mega busy year in the B&B (only 3 nights in 27 weeks where we haven't had guests in) so it's welcome respite to be approaching the quieter time of year. Max still not sleeping and this adds to the jaded feeling that comes towards the end of the busy period. Well that's strictly not true actually - he has slept through. 3 nights since February.

Having said all that the quieter time of year for the B&B coincides with the busy busy busy lead up to my next Ama Dablam expedition. There's a lot going on this year - with some folk out there trekking in to Island Peak already, some flying next week and then the main party arriving next weekend in KTM. I've been stocking up on food and supplies to take out there (I use a mixture of Western and locally sourced food for the hill) and I've managed to get a few friends and fellow leaders to take some stuff in advance, but I'm now contemplating how to get the remaining 59Kgs of food out on a 40Kg baggage allowance.Managed 89Kgs on a 55Kg allowance a few years back so fingers crossed I'll get everything through without incurring the £27.10/Kg excess.

Best take some clothes too this year - I'll allow myself 3Kg for personal items. I forgot to take anything extra a few years ago - thinking that I had enough supplies in my kit stored at Base Camp. Unfortunately when I opened my barrels the grollies I was anticipating being there weren't, so I had 3 weeks in one pair of undies. Washed them a few times and went commando round Base Camp but even so.

Been clearing out the loft and it's amazing what you find up there. I'd quite forgotten where I'd put all the old useless fleeces and knackered waterproofs I'd accumulated over the years. But the great news is that I have found the 7 pieces of wood with nails hammered in them that I knew I may need some day. Just not quite sure what to do with them - so I guess I;ll keep hold of them for the time being.

Been running quite a bit and had some really great days out - most notably The Fairfield Horseshoe, Grizedale Pike Horseshoe and various other outings up and over Walla / Bleaberry / Blencathra. It's all good training for next year's trip to Everest.

Talking of which we have just booked flights today for The Big E - exciting times.

Hoping to be able to update with news when we are trekking in and again as soon as we leave Base Camp to come home. Watch this space.

Max Mosedale

Just testing the mobile blogging (yet again). Anyone know how to update via text rather than e mail? Just trying to get set up to send updates back from Nepal. We'll see ...

Photos - how do I upload photos?

Any ideas how to get photos from iPhone to the Blogging App?

If only life was easier.

It Works!

Of course it works. Why am I surprised? I'm not if the truth be told.

Now .... How do I send Blog updates with photos from Ama Dablam Base Camp ...???