Sagarmatha National Park - THREE PASSES TREK ITINERARY!

I have been asked by several people what our itinerary is for the trip. So here it is. We have built a great deal of flexibility into the trip with spare rest days if required.

Proposed Itineray - Richard & Elisabeth and Mark & Andrea
	Friday
			Melb/Bangkok 11.30pm-6am (9hr 30min flight). Booking Ref. 36L8SC.
Day 1	Saturday		Bangkok/KTM 10.15am-12.25pm (3hr 15min flight). Booking Ref. 36L8SC.
			Arrive KTM International Airport at, meet NEAT airport representative, transfer to Courtyard Hotel, Then sightseeing around KTM.
Day 2	Sunday		Sightseeing in KTM. We will arrange this - not included in NEAT costs.
Day 3	Monday		Fly KTM to Lukla (2,840m). Depending on arrival time, we may wish to either look around or commence trek to Thalsharoa (2,678m)
Day 4	Tuesday		Trek to Phakding (2,610m. 6/7 hours walking) overnight at lodge.
Day 5	Wednesday		Trek to Namche Bazar (3,440m. 5/6 hours walking) overnight at lodge.
Day 6	Thursday		Rest day at Namche Bazar - acclimatization day.
Day 7	Friday		Trek to Khumjung (3,780m. 3/4 hours walking.)
Day 8	Saturday		Trek to Thenboche (3,860m. 6 hours walking) overnight at lodge.
Day 9	Sunday		Trek to Pheriche (4,240m. 6/7hours walking) overnight at lodge.
Day 10	Monday		Trek to Chhukung (4,730m. 4 hours walking) overnight at lodge.
Day 11	Tuesday		Acclimatization day to Chhukung Ri (5,550m), back to lodge overnight stay.
Day 12	Wednesday		Early morning cross Kongma La (5,535m), to Lobuche (4,910m. 9/10 hours walking.) Overnight at lodge
Day 13	Thursday		Visit to Kala Patthar (5,500m. 4 hours walking) early in the morning for the best sun rise view back to Gorak Shep (5,140m). Over night stay.
Day 14	Friday		Visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m), overnight stay at Gorak Shep (5,140m).
Day 15	Saturday		Trek to Dzonghlha (4,830m. 6 hours walking) overnight at lodge.
Day 16	Sunday		Cross Cho La pass (5,368m. 8/9 hours walking.) Gokyo (4,790m) overnight at lodge.
Day 17	Monday		Early morning visit Gokyo Ri (5,357m. 3 hours walking) overnight at same Gokyo lodge (4,790m).
Day 18	Tuesday		Early morning cross Renjo La pass (5,360m. 7/8 hours walking) to Lungdhen (Lugane?) (4,380m).  Overnight at lodge.
Day 19	Wednesday		Trek to Thame (3,800m. 6 hours walking) Overnight at lodge.
Day 20	Thursday		Trek to Monjo (2,835m. 6/7 hours walking.) Overnight at lodge.
Day 21	Friday		Trek back to Lukla (2,860m. 7 hours walking) overnight at lodge.
Day 22	Saturday		Fly Lukla to KTM - time TBA. NEAT to arrange.  KTM airport to Courtyard Hotel, Z Street, Thamel. Reservation for 2 rooms confirmed 11.12.13.
Day 23	Sunday		Spare days in case of sickness on trek or problems with Lukla/KTM flights
Day 24	Monday		Spare days in case of sickness on trek or problems with Lukla/KTM flights
Day 25	Tuesday		Spare days in case of sickness on trek or problems with Lukla/KTM flights
Day 26	Wednesday		Rest Day in KTM - sightseeing. Overnight at Courtyard Hotel, Z Street, Thamel. Reservation for 2 rooms confirmed 11.12.13.
Day 27	Thursday		Rest Day in KTM - sightseeing. Overnight at Courtyard Hotel, Z Street, Thamel. Reservation for 2 rooms confirmed 11.12.13.
Day 28	Friday		Flight to Melbourne via Bangkok
	Saturday
	Sunday

Briggs Bluff - Grampians National Park

Briggs Bluff - 10.3kms, 4hrs 10mins

Not an overnight but worth mentioning, Briggs Bluff walk.

Beehive Falls

The path starts out flat and meanders 1.4kms to Beehive Falls. After enjoying the lovely falls the path quickly climbs to the top of the range. It is a constant rock hop until you hit the ridge, from here you get views to Mt Stapylton, Mt Difficult and Briggs Bluff. The path levels off for a while before once again climbing all the way to the Bluff, once again you are rewarded with 360 degree views of the surrounding area including Langi Ghiran, Bungador and Arapiles.
We stopped for lunch but quickly cooled off and head back to the car. All up an excellent energetic walk well worth doing!






Fast Forward on the Summit!





















LESS THAN 10 WEEKS TO GO!

Holy crap, this time in nine weeks we will be boarding a plane to Kathmandu and commencing the journey of our lives (so far)! The training is progressing, although a slight set back with a strand calf has stopped me from running which I was really enjoying.

Our VISAs have been approved, thanks to Liz who shouted us entry into Nepal!
It is great having both Richard and Liz as our personal tour guides/support crew. Given, they are returning with enthusiasm and knowledge, we are more than happy to be lead around holding their hands! While we might have considered a trip to Kathmandu we may never have taken on the challenge of EBC and Gokyo Lakes if they hadn't have asked!

We are comfortable with the level of training we are doing and the plan to slowly increase the intensity over the coming weeks. We will begin altitude training 6 weeks prior to our departure with the goal of developing some level of understanding of the effects of altitude on our bodies as well as prepare ourselves physically. 



In terms of walking, our training revolves around finding hills to walk up and down. We have completed the 1000 Steps, a variety around our streets as well as Mt Lofty - Warrandyte. Most recently we covered near 25kms in the Grampians National Park over 3 days.
I have found the Strava App really useful in tracking our walks, especially with the graphics available. You can use it for running, walking, bike riding etc... and it can also measure split times and improvements in time taken.
I will be using it while on the trek to keep track of each day distance and elevation gain. Certainly saves buying an expensive GPS. Also download and altitude app.

Our doctor is pleased with our training and we will be finalising necessary injections and planning the veritable pharmacy that we will be taking with us, mostly just in case.

There is no doubt that we both are excited albeit a little anxious about the forthcoming experience. So many people have asked us, "Why?" But, an equal number have expressed their desire to complete a similar trek at some time in their lives! There is part of me that can't really believe it is happening, that will change as I start taking photos of the mountains of Sagarmatha National Park!

So for now we continue to train, plan and get more and more excited as the departure day approaches.

For the record we commenced altitude training today 18/07. To bring us up to coping with the reduced O2 at 5560 metres the training is designed over 8 weeks and 24 sessions. Our first session saw us training around 2750 metres.  Thanks to Jan and Jason at Vibromania - http://www.vibromania.com.au

Check out the chart for the reduction in oxygen saturation at altitude, we will be working our way down to <10% before departure. Our first session had us training at 2750 metres - 14.5% O2.

http://www.higherpeak.com/altitudechart.html

Cheers
Mark

Everest - Gokyo Lakes planning and training intensifies!

So, when Liz and Richard said, "we are going to Gokyo Lakes in Nepal does anyone want to join us?" There was no doubt in our minds (Andrea's and mine) that we would be on that trip. We have both done some serious thinking about the challenge since buying the plane tickets!

The trip plan has been modified as we have further investigated what is possible in the four weeks we have for the adventure. After landing in Kathmandu we will fly to Tenzing-HillaryAirport, Lukla. Check it out, it is one of the most dangerous airports in the world, so if we make it through the landing and safely walk the trip we have got to go through taking off and surviving!

I won't bore you with the route details until we return, as there is no telling what will happen on the trip! Our basic plan is to head to Namche Bazaar to begin our first acclimatisation day. The route travels over three pass: Kongma La - 5535m, Cho La 5420m and Renjo La 5465m. With three significant hills to master: Chukkung Ri 5550m, Kala Patthar 5500m and Gokyo Ri 5357m, plus of course, EVEREST base camp 5364m.

Training is slowly picking up with goals being set by both Andrea and I. I tried the gym but couldn't handle the boredom so have turned to running. My July goal is to complete The Age Melbourne Fun Run - 10kms in July. Andrea still pushes herself at the gym with circuits that continue to increase her aerobic capacity. Once we hit August we are planning on completing altitude training at the local gym two days per week and intensifying the hill training leading into the trip in September.

So, for now, we increase the workload. Oh, did I mention the 30 day AB challenge that we both are killing ourselves with!!!

The end goal is completing, what will quite possibly be the biggest physical challenge of our lives........so far!

 Oh, and seeing this with our own eyes!

Mt. Everest from Gokyo Ri November 5, 2012 CroppedCC BY-SA 3.0Rdevany at the English Wikipedia 

Three Passes Trek - Planning takes shape

Sample trip Itinerary

With flights booked planning begins to take shape. With 9 months to go we have plenty of time to prepare ourselves both physically and in terms of schedule planning. As usual the internet provides us with plenty of information and advice.

The link provides an outline of the trip similar to the one we are planning (thanks Richard) but we will be bussing into Jiri and commencing our walk to assist with our acclimatization. This is considered the Everest expedition route and climbs in and out of numerous ridges and river valleys.

Duration: 7-9 days
Length: approx. 120 km
Max. Elevation: 3440m
Difficulty: hard

This gets us to Namche Bazaar our first rest and acclimatization day.

Just as a matter of interest if you calculate all the uphill climbing from Jiri to Everest Base Camp it comes to 10000m of elevation gain! 
So for now training begins in earnest, the one thing we can do is build a solid base of fitness. This will be essential as we push our bodies to work at altitudes above 5300m, Each of the three passes, Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La will push us to that extreme. I remember Tim Macartney-Snape in his book "Everest From Sea To Summit" talking about being cautious and using good judgement to reduce the likelihood of an accident. Much of his focus was on his preparation and planning as the key to being able to achieve his goal. We can not afford to have any doubt about our fitness leading into the trek. I know for me, nursing my body through sprains and strains will be the biggest challenge. Already a slight calf strain has slowed me down (bloody body!)


As of today - 4/1/2014 there are 259 days until our departure, but who is counting?

Gokyo..... FACT OR FICTION?

FACT!
With flights booked in the last day or so, the reality of what we have set in motion is starting to sink in!
The Gokyo Lakes region is at the head of the Dudh Kosi Valley. All reports suggest it is a tranquil trek which provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the mountain panoramas. The highlight of the trek is the ascent of Gokyo Ri. At 5550m at the summit we will enjoy awesome views of Everest as well as the peaks of Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.

So what is ahead? 9 months of training and preparation, reading and developing the plan?
Plus....

Ever since I was a young the thought of climbing Mt Everest was prominent. Through out Uni days the challenge was in the back of my mind. I had a friend that I went through school with who experienced a base camp journey as a part of his training at Bendigo. Talking to Tony lit a tiny fire inside me. When Liz and Richard mentioned the opportunity, there was absolutely no doubt of my and Andrea's desire to complete the Trek! Nine months time the dream becomes a reality, not climbing Mt Everest, just looking! 

I'll keep you informed!

  

GOKYO - September 2014