The Very Best of Everest expedition 2012 has begun with an early morning flight to Lukla today. The team consists of Australians, Susan (fresh of a Mera peak expedition), Colleen and Zoe, and Brits, Katie, Kate and Rory being led by Sumit, Dendi (fondly known as ‘Long man’ due to his lofty height for a Sherpa) and Pasang Sherpa.
Sumit commented that the team is fit and that they were practically flying to Monjo today, leaving behind their guides (mind you they are carrying gear loaded packs). The expedition will head to Lobuche East via stops at Ama Dablam base camp and Everest base camp to climb the trekking peak.
Then they will drop to the other side of the valley and cross the first high pass of Cho La. After summiting Gokyo Ri, it’s then onto Renjo La pass (offering quite possibly the best views of the Khumbu from the pass).
At Ama Dablam base camp, Diane and Marty are back in camp after their successful summit of the mountain yesterday. Garrett and his team have just arrived and will be preparing for rotations in the next few days. Jonathan and Stephen are flying back to Kathmandu tomorrow. They are tired but happy after 3 weeks of awesome climbing and trekking.