In 2009 I will go to the Everest Base Camp by participating in the Everest Base Camp Challenge. This challenge is organised by VSO and Accenture and over 30 colleagues from aroud the world will participate.
Each of us has the goal to gather € 5.000,- (£ 4000,-), which means together we will raise over € 160.000,- for VSO.
The money will be used for the VSO Educational Programme in Nepal (find out more about it here.)
100% of your donation will go to VSO, I will personally pay for my flight and other personal expenses.
Fifty years ago Nepal had no education system, now it has 28,000 schools and nearly four million primary school students. This is a phenomenal achievement.
Nepal is still working towards 100% enrolment in schools, especially girls and lower castes. This raises difficult issues: huge first year classes of up to 90 students; pressure to expand classrooms and textbook supply (a typical textbook is only in black and white and there's little else apart from chalk and a blackboard), and above all a change in attitudes to education.
You can help by donating via this link:
Or check out more details first on my JustGiving page.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me.
A special note (in Dutch) for a special gift (€2,000.00)
Ter nagedachtenis aan Willemine Schijvens, *12.11.1933 - 23.01.2001.
In leven directeur van de bibliotheek de Lindenberg Nijmegen.
Zij ondersteunde en geloofde in het waarmaken van dromen.
Een droom van haar was om naar Nepal te gaan en een bijdrage te leveren
aan boeken voor kinderen.
Zij liet ons geld na om in haar voetstappen "iets" met Nepal te gaan
doen. Door haar bijdrage wordt een droom alsnog werkelijkheid.
The challenge will start on March 9 2009. I will go 2 days earlier to acclimatise. My schedule is as follows:
Day01: In-Flight - 7th March
Depart home location to Kathmandu.
Day02: Kathmandu, Nepal - 8th March
Connect with flight to Kathmandu.
Day03: Kathmandu
Acclimatising in Kathmandu.
Day04: Kathmandu, Nepal - 10th March
Acclimatising in Kathmandu.
Day05: Kathmandu - 11th March
Trek briefing and VSO Project visit.
Day06: Lukla - Chumoa (2743m) - 12th March
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla has to be one of the most spectacular in the world. 18-seat two-engine Twin Otters fly this route of contrasting country with the snow line of the Himalayan range to the north and the rugged foothills of Nepal below and stretching away to the south. The landing at Lukla airstrip (9184'/2880m) adds considerably to the general excitement and expectation. After a sort out and cup of tea the trail leads northwest and descends to the river at Phakding (8698'/2652m).
However it is worth progressing on along the new route to the attractive fir-forested areas near the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, where there are good campsites to be found around Chumoa and Jorsale.
Time: 5.5 hours
Day07: Namche Bazaar (3445m) - 13th March
Another good reason for the longish first day is that the plod up the steep hill to Namche is better done when fresh and fit in the early morning. Near the halfway point up the hill, the first views of Everest and Lhotse appear. Namche Bazaar is a prosperous town and the largest in the Khumbu. As a traditional trading centre a colourful market is held every Saturday, and the wares on display include grains, vegetables, tennis shoes, trinkets, hand-woven aprons and Tibetan boots. Thamserku and Kwangde Ri loom to the east and west, and the sacred mountain Khumbila dominates the skyline to the north behind the village.
Time: 6 hours
Day08: Namche Bazaar (Acclimatisation day) - 14th March
Today we have a brilliant acclimatisation walk to a view spot to see Everest and the others (Nuptse, Lotse, Ama Dablam) and then upwards to the Everest View hotel. We have a chance to stay here for a while and admire the magnificent views and see where our trek will take us. We then return down for a very late snack lunch at the camp. The afternoon is free to explore Namche Bazaar or just rest in camp.
Time: 4 hours
Day09: Thame (3801m) - 15 March
Traverse westwards with views of Kwangde and the waterfalls cascading off its flanks. The trail contours high above the Bhote Kosi through yellow and white rhododendron forests (in full bloom in May). Cross the river, look back down the valley for beautiful views of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru, then climb up through rhododendron forest to open pasture just before Thame.
This pretty and secluded village is the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay who made the first ascent of Everest with Hillary. We camp in meadows on the edge of the village, and an afternoon's ascent to the Cliffside monastery is of great interest. From here a trail leads across to the crest of a ridge for views of the route to the Nangpa La, a pass into Tibet frequently used by the Sherpas and their yaks during the monsoon months.
Time: 6 hours
Day10: Thame - Khumjung (3790m) - 16 March
Walk back down the valley by way of Thamdo, where there is a hillside nunnery. Take the high trail, which bypasses Namche and drops into Khumjung. This village is one of the most beautiful in the Khumbu. It’s symmetrically laid out stone dwellings house the families of many of our Sherpas, who may extend their hospitality and offer a teatime visit - quite an experience!
Time: 6 hours
Day11: Thyangboche (3867m) - 17 March
The trail descends from Khumjung with chortens framing a dramatic view of Ama Dablam, Kangtaiga and Everest, its summit pyramid rising above the Lhotse Nuptse wall. The descent continues through rhododendron forest, and you may catch a glimpse of blood or Impeyan pheasant in the undergrowth. Cross the Dudh Kosi at the village of Phunki with its water-powered prayer wheels, and climb steeply through rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill.
The new monastery at Thyangboche perhaps lacks some of the original's charm, but the surrounding village still occupies the classic setting with superb views of Ama Dablam and the Nuptse Lhotse ridge hiding all but the very summit of Everest. Immediately to the south the twin peaks of Kangtaiga and Thamserku complete the spectacular panorama.
Before continuing down to Debouche (20 minutes from Thyangboche) to our camp, we have an opportunity to visit the bakery of Thyangboche for some well earned treats.
Time: 5-6 hours
Day12: Dingboche (4350m) - 18 March
Descend from Thyangboche to the Imja Khola, cross the river, and climb gradually to Pangboche where there is a fascinating gompa (monastery) above the main village.
After lunch near Pangboche, the trail climbs gradually up the valley to Pheriche, where the Himalayan Rescue Association have their aid post. A final steepish climb over the ridge past chortens and mani walls leads to the prosperous village of Dingboche, which nestles in a sheltered spot at the end of the Chukhung Valley and is generally a more attractive place to stay than Pheriche.
Time: 5 hours
Day13: Dingboche (Acclimatisation day) - 19 March
It is necessary for acclimatisation purposes to spend two nights around the 14,000-foot level, but the day can be gainfully spent exploring the Chukhung Valley towards Island Peak. Here one is truly among the giants of the Khumbu, with Ama Dablam and the massive southern ramparts of Nuptse and Lhotse flanking the valley.
Time: 5 hours
Day14: Dingboche - Gorak Shep (5160m) - 20 March
The path from Dingboche skirts the hillside above Pheriche and joins the main trail coming up the Imja Valley at Thugla. There are beautiful views of Cholatse to the west across the valley. A steep ascent leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and the path is rough and ill defined in places, but the stark and rugged beauty of the area creates almost a moonscape.
The trail winds through the high tundra and glacial moraine to Gorak Shep (5111m), the last inhabited area before Everest Base Camp, and our last nights camp before we attempt Base Camp and Kala Patter.
Time: 5 hours
Day15: Gorak Shep - Everest Base Camp (5300m) - Gorak Shep - 21 March
Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Base Camp is actually spread over quite a wide area and we will spend some time wandering through it and getting a sense of what it must be like to be camped here for two whole months, whilst attempting the mountain. An amazing experience, but we won’t get the best views of this stunning mountain until tomorrow when we summit Kala Pattar! After a hot lunch we make the return trek to Gorak Shep.
Time: 5/6 hours
Day16: Lobuche - Kala Pattar - Lobuche (4931m - 5545m) - 22 March
An early start is essential. The trail climbs gradually beside the lateral moraine of the glacier to the summer settlement of Gorakshep at the base of Kala Pattar (5545m). The climb to the summit of Kala Pattar takes about 2 hours and can be hard work in the snow, but the effort is rewarded by the classic view of Everest and the Khumbu Icefall, as well as Lhotse, Nuptse, the Tibetan peak Changste and Pumori immediately above. Lobuche to the summit of Kala Pattar and back takes approximately 9 hours.
Day17: Lobuche - Dingboche (4350m) - 23 March
Our challenge now takes us down the valley through the village of Periche and onwards to the village of Tyangboche where we stay in the temple grounds. If you are interested the Monastery have a video they show plus a wonderful Buddhist gift shop.
Time: 6-7 hours
Day18: Dingboche - Monjo (2835m) - 24 March
Lots of "Nepali Flat" today down the valley to Monjo. We head back past Namche Bazaar but take a different route from the way up. If anyone is into birds, today will be a chance to see Vultures second only to the Andean Condor and the Eagles souring everywhere.
Time: 7-8 hours
Day19: Monjo - Lukla (2804m) - 25 March
The final day's walking follows the river down the valley before the deceptively long hard climb up to Lukla.
Time: 5-6 hours
Day20: Lukla - Kathmandu - 25 March
This morning we catch our return flight back to Kathmandu and arrive at the Summit Hotel in time for lunch. Flights to Kathmandu operate during the mornings before the winds above the Dudh Kosi build up. The take-off high above the Dudh Kosi is as spectacular as the earlier landing - and then some 45 minutes later, Kathmandu and civilisation!
Day21: Kathmandu - 27 March
At leisure in Kathmandu (or late night departure).
Day22: Departure - 28 March
Early transfer to the airport for day flight connecting to home location.
