Nepal 1998

Journal Entry - October 20, 1998 - Luceche to Pangboche

Hike from Lubeche to Pangboche. It felt good to get to thicker air. It rained lightly the last ½ hour. We decided to go down to try to be healthy for the Mera Peak portion of the trip. I felt pretty good. The food at the Lodge in Pangboche was terrible.

Journal Entry - October 21, 1998 - Pangboche to Namchee

We hiked out to Namchee. The air was thicker but I felt very weak. By the time we reached Namchee, I felt awful. I could barely stand. I had a fever of about 100°F. Had some decent food at the Everest Bakery where we ran into a couple I had met at the Everest Bakery in Kunjung about a week before. They are from Canada. She slipped on the snow up above Lubeche and broke her wrist. She still had a great attitude even with her misfortune. They had met a guy from Idaho who had traveled with them all the way from Jiri. His name was Rusty. He had so many interesting stories from many years of travels. It was great listening to his stories.

I had a fever again.

Journal Entry - October 22, 1998 - Namchee (Sick Day)

Still had the fever. Mera Peak is not looking good. I could have had a better time at home. The Canadian couple and Rusty were in our lodge. More great stories.

Journal Entry - October 23, 1998 - Namchee (Sick Day)

Mera Peak is looking worse and worse. Staying around sick again. Bought a prayer flag set and a Yak bell. We leave for Lukla tomorrow.

Journal Entry - October 24, 1998 - Namchee to Lukla

It was a long walk from Namchee to Lukla but at least I did not feel exhausted. We stopped for lunch in Phakohng and then came on to Lukla. I scoped out the lodges and decided to stay at the Hotel Panaramte. The room has a western style flush toilet with a cold shower and running water for the sink. We might try to stop here one day to get some more rest before we take off for Mera. We plan to start the trip with the idea that we will back down if we don't feel good enough.

Journal Entry - October 25, 1998 - Lukla (wait for porters)

We met our guide today in Lukla. He said we will leave tomorrow. He stayed and talked with us a while and said he would come back at 5:00. He came back at 5:00 saying the whole crew had arrived and we would take off at about 10:00am tomorrow. I am both relieved that we are going and apprehensive. I think the apprehension comes from the poor health we have been experiencing. However, we are both feeling a lot better and will go on up and see how it goes.