2 cricket teams, called Tensing and Hillary ( as a tribute to the 2 men who reached the summit for the first time in 1953) played at 5165m above the sea level in order to collect nearly 400 000 euros for a charity. Richard Kirtley conceived the idea of such a match when he realised that Gorak Shep plateau looked strangely like ?The Oval? in London.
Panorama made of 3 x 11 photos taken on the 12 April 2009.
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This summit is not particularly technical, the slope is steady but important. Some parts can include cracked soil so you may have to use ropes. The ridge towards the summit is narrow. If the access starts with moraines and rocks, most of the way goes through snow. After this base camp, the climbers only have at their disposal one more camp at 5500m before the ascent of the summit at 6119m.
Panorama made of 3 x 11 photos taken on the 13 April 2009.
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A great part of the equipment for the expedition is carried by yaks, yet our bags are carried by porters. Indeed yaks are far too expensive for a small trek like ours. It is less expensive for the agency to hire porters. They are rather slim and short and stack up the belongings of 2 trekkers plus their own in a ?doko?, a sort of basket made of bamboo and filled to the top. Once the bags are fixed with strings, they squat and with the help of the ?namlo?(the frontal headband) they lift their load and inch forward. Their load shouldn?t exceed 30 kg but nobody checked the weight of our bags at any moment! We took care at home, before the departure, not to exceed 13kg of equipment each. But for a few extra coins, some porters carry much more.
Panorama made of 3 x 11 photos taken on the 11 April 2009.
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Little by little the vegetation becomes scarce and the landscape is drier and less pleasant. Big and hairy yaks graze in the meadows. Pheriche is a village made of lodges and rustic old houses set on either side of the path. This village is also known for its clinic ?The Himalayan Rescue Association? where are treated climbers and trekkers who suffer from acute mountain sickness or any other ailment. It is really freezing in this village , with a sharp wind blowing all the time!
Panorama made of 3 x 11 photos taken on the 11 April 2009.
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Along the paths, native people and trekkers from all over the world pass and welcome each other with a smile and a ?Namasté?. Every one knows Namasté means ?Good day? but just a few know the true meaning of this word ?Let all your qualities lift you upwards?. If this bridge is rigid with a metallic structure, others seem to belong to an Indiana Jones movie: A footbridge more than 100 meters long creaks and sways when crossed! Better not be in front of a herd of yaks when crossing such a bridge!
Panorama made of 3 x 11 photos taken on the 10 April 2009.
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In Tengboche, the view on the snow-capped summits is splendid. Ama Dablam (6856m) towers the landscape, we can also admire Taboche (6376m), Lhotse (8516m), Kangtega (6685m), Thamserku (6608m), and Mount Everest (8868m)
Panorama made of 3 x 11 photos taken on the 10 April 2009.
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