The population of Kathmandu is about 1.5 million; there are 475,000 motorcycles. Traffic here is tangled chaos—never better than stop and go, filled with honking horns, weaving motorcycles, and buses passing within inches of each other. Add the pervasive pollution and omnipresent haze, and I've decided it's time to get out of here. Time to head for the mountains.
The trekking group piled into a van this morning for a tour of two stupas, one of which is primarily Tibetan. The Everest climbers and the family members accompanying them were in a separate bus.
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| Nice makeup, Mom. |
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| Buddhist monk sporting his Converse sneaks |
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| Painting intricate mandalas |
After returning to the hotel and eating lunch, we had gear check out on the lawn. We're limited to 15 kg of weight in the duffel that is transported for us from lodge to lodge. Our pack shouldn't weigh more than about 20 lbs. Those of us climbing Island Peak put together separate duffels of gear that we won't see until we get to Base Camp (ice ax, crampons, etc). And then we compile yet another bag of items to be left at the hotel in Kathamandu (city clothes, laptop, etc). Logistics galore.
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| Trying to sort it all out |
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| The Everest team at gear check yesterday |
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| Brit Leanna Shuttleworth, attempting her 7th of the Seven Summits at age 18 |
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Tomorrow will be an early start—waking at 4 AM, leaving the hotel by 5, and hoping to get the first flights to Lukla. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we may be able to pony up another $300 each to go by helicopter. Guess the copters can fly when the Twin Otters can't. Gulp. Will have to choose breakfast items carefully as I may see them for a second time during the flight.
Off to the Khumbu.
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