The whole team are now back in Kathmandu eating, washing, shopping and generally getting themselves ready for the rest of the expedition. Lukla airport's weighing scales told the story with some of the team having lost up to 5kg during our acclimatisation trek. This despite very healthy appetites and the Snicker Pies!
The trails were very much busier as we trekked out to Lukla. Our celebrity team member was recognised by one new arrival requesting an autograph. As we climbed the final hill I recognised the spot where I'd had to rescue a porter trapped beneath his load during our Ama Dablam expedition but no dramas this time. However while stretching my legs around Lukla that evening I came under friendly attack from a group of small children hurling yak dung! The things the guidebooks don't tell you!
Paradise Lodge lived up to its name and the extra oxygen meant folk slept very well. The flight back to Kathmandu was pretty uneventful despite a new pilot under training and we've spent the rest of the day completing our kit checks spending plenty of money with Andy & Shona. We now have our Everest permit from the Chinese amd everything is falling into place. A few final items on the checklist tomorrow and we're heading for Tibet on the 14th. www.adventurepeaks.com
