Back at sea level

First post in a while. While i kept journal of my everest base camp trek, will post day-by-day thoughts after. Figured i would write overview and include some pics first. Had amazing trip and highly recommend Everest base camp for others. Had amazing guide, Lakhpa, who paced us well and was very knowledgeable. It's some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Hiking around plethora of 20k+ foot peaks is impressive, especially when most of the trek is higher than any part of continental USA. Trip was not overly challenging outside of the days when we were over 16000 feet. Felt Really greAt to be on trail for two weeks. Each day when we reached a new village, felt sense of accomplishment usually lacking on vacations. Also, from 2 weeks of exercise, I Feel much healthier than when i stArted. For those who dont like to "rough it", outside of the last 5 days, most nights spent in lodges which while spartan are nicely appointed with clean water, beds and decent food.

One or goals was to turn phone off and do some thinking and head-clearing. Hiking without distraction of music or tv was great opportunity.

While I will post more in depth info and stories, wanted to include a Few highlights:

Scenery is truly striking. Have been in mountains before, but scale of Himalayas is extraordinary. When at base camp of AMA Dablam, you are already at 15k feet and looking up, the mountain in front of you is another 7 empire state buildings tall!

Group dynamic was excellent. Everyone got along and was super nice. I was youngest by about 20 years and oldest was Frank "the tank" Brophy who was 77! I hope I'm in that good of shape in 50 years.

Got very lucky with weather. Rained a bit afternoon of first day and didn't really experience rain again for next two weeks.

Acclimated very well. Only had issues when we climbed kala Pathar (18200 feet) mostly bc I was dehydrated. Realized when I was that high up that high altitude mountaineering was not for me. While I loved the daily hikes, fine staying under 20k feet elevation.

We were in Everest base camp at right time as many people were submitting then. Met a few famous climbers, including Conrad Anker who was super friendly. Seems as though mountain is getting overrun with Sandy Pitman types though. Spent some time with both people who submitted and failed, all of which complained about overcrowding, and had to step over multiple dead bodies on their ascents and descents as too many unqualified people who can write $100k check are summitting.

Realized we needed to add more humor and competition to the trip so I purchased a yak bell for the group. If you were last one to a meal, you had to wear yak bell at the meal and carry to next meal. Included. Pic of Betty after she Was last to breakfast.

Had snake / (l)lama encounter at famous monestary of Tingboche. Attached a pic. Big hitter the lama.

Read atlas shrugged which I enjoyed and gave new inspiration to try to do something as opposed to Passively investing or trading. The career related thought was also echoed in satisfaction of completing a difficult trek that required hard work. Feltbgood to accomplish something. What i specifically want to do - im still not sure.

Flight to / from Lukla is nuts. Never comforting when you look in cockpit and warnings are flashing "terrain ahead" did not crash tho and luckily didnt fly Agni airways which had crash while we were on trail!

After trip, headed back to Kathmandu and then Bombay to see friends, Ashay and Abha Shah. Will post updates on next day or so. Just got to Bali and will be in Indonesia for next two weeks!

-snake on planes