Everest 2012: Annapurna Circuit, Lobuche and More

Lobuche West from Lobuche East
Lobuche West from Lobuche East

Teams continue to make the march towards Everest Base Camp on the South, while there is the usual dearth of news from the North. I have learned over the years that North side teams have much more difficulty in updating their sites due to a variety of issues so in their case, no news is often good news. I’m sure we will hear about their travels soon.

Today’s post is a potpourri of info. I encourage you to click on their links to see some great pictures.  So here it goes:

Lama Geshe

Anyone who has been to Everest, trek or climb, likes to stop by the home of Lama Geshe. I have mentioned him many teams as an endearing , true “gentle” man who touches people in a unique way. Adventure Consultants stopped by today for their blessing and had this to say:

For many of us the expedition truly gets underway with the blessing from Lama Geshe. Lama means monk, though Lama Geshe should be addressed as Rimpoche (a somewhat higher appellation) and Geshe means teacher or guru. Lama Geshe lives in Upper Pangboche, and the Sherpas of that village hold him in very high regard. It becomes obvious why when you are in Lama Geshe’s presence. It takes a real skill to create calmness and laughter at the same time. Few of us would pass en-route to a major expedition without a visit to Upper Pangboche and a blessing. Certainly none of our Sherpas would dream of missing the blessing. So after breakfast we all trooped up from Lower Pangboche, past the last forest till we return in two months time (a forest of tall gnarled Juniper trees) past the oldest Gompa in the Khumbu (600 years old), past the potato fields and Ang Dorji’s parent’s house to the Lama’s home. The blessing seems to be slightly different each year. This time, with a twinkle in his eye, he led us through the first few lines of a Tibetan prayer..

Lobuche peak

As I have previously reported, some teams use Lobuche Peak as an acclimatization climb thus eliminating at least one trip through the Icefall. The MG team arrived at their Base camp and Bandar reports all is well other than a few sniffles and no cell phone signal 🙂 In all seriousness several people are reporting problems with their cell phone signal as they enter the upper Khumbu so if you have not heard from them, don’t worry.

Lobuche Basecamp has been set up wonderfully by IMG. We have a large dining tent, flat tents, and a secluded area as our Lobuche BC is away from the traditional Lobuche BC which can be crowded and therefore is a less controlled environment. We arrived to a warm lunch of Vegetable soup, cheese sandwiches, a fresh salad (we havent had fresh vegetables in the longest time so it was wonderful, same for fruit), french fries and spam for the brave few who would eat it, I passed on the spam.

The Annapurna Circuit

While Everest and th Khumbu are the focus this time of year, some climbers use their time in Nepal to explore other area. Grant Rawlinson aka Axe, has just posted an extensive description of his 8 day trek on the Annapurna Circuit. Arguably this is the most beautiful are of Nepal. His descriptions of the area and of conversations with the locals take you away. it is the Blog of the Day.

Mallory and Irvine circa 1924

For any Everest devote’, the story of Mallory and Irvine is one of mystery and dreams. Did they die after or before the summit in 1924? That is the question and a few historians work this question continuously, it appears. Pete Poston, one of those historians, has published an interesting article commenting on another historians take on a piece of evidence. Pete sent this note around:

In Jochen Hemmleb’s 2009 book Tatort Mount Everest: Der Fall Mallory, he reports that upon re-examining Mallory’s watch, the stubs of the hands point to about 12:50, the time of Odell’s momentous sighting of the pair. Hemmleb has also theorized that maybe Mallory broke his watch while climbing the 2nd Step. So with the help of Borgel watch expert David Boettcher, I’ve written a new article investigating this amazing claim, and I hope you find it an interesting read.

Ah, the world of Everest, then and now!

Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything

Share this post:

4 thoughts on “Everest 2012: Annapurna Circuit, Lobuche and More

  1. Thanks for pulling this together so nicely, it’s great to have a single resource that highlights a number of interesting posts. I related to Bandar’s post about being more comfortable in a tent than a lodge–I wished for a tent (with familiar filth anyway ;o) several times when we were there!

  2. I was thinking of a little nearer home but I’m pleased for your fellow climber. I’m the wrong side of fifty with a tolerant husband and four great kids but I must admit the call of Everest still makes it a difficult choice.

  3. I would never have thought I could be so interested in the deep technical workings and possible theories re Mallory’s watch.It does make the desire to find the answer to that fateful day so much stronger.If Irvine’s body is ever found, what to do with it is a very difficult and delicate decision.You were right, Axe on Everest was a brilliant read and the photos great. Another day without household chores and a very late evening meal. There are not enough hours in the day to keep up with all my Everest blog reading. I am so enjoying all the different feed backs. Thanks to one and all. Divorce hasn’t yet been mentioned ! Cheers Kate

    1. Umm, Kate .. well it has and I quote from the April 5th Adventure Consultants post “As I write this in the Pheriche internet café, a very happy man (not one of our team) is waving his hands; his divorce as just come through.” 🙂

Comments are closed.