Room with a view

By the extra clock on our kitchen wall keeping Nepal time, Kristine should have arrived at the Summit Hotel in Kathmandu. I thought we had quite a nice view from our bedroom at home but I have to concede that this view from the hotel is slightly better than Kings Seat and Castle Campbell.

(Amazing - 15 mins after I posted this, Kristine phoned to say that the whole team have arrived safely in Nepal. She was phoning from the small bus taking them from the airport to the hotel. They had all the rucksacks and bags strapped to the roof and the driver was blasting the horn continuously, trying to keep flying motorcyclists out of their way. Sounds very like the Kincardine Bridge at rush hour.)

Saturday 31 March photos

The Scots, 4 in a row, Doha to Kathmandu

Suzie, Mary, Lorraine & Kristine

Some of the Manchester Airport team having a meal
Amy, Jayne, Carole and who am I missing?

Sign to the Summit Hotel, Kathmandu

The bus and our bags, minus the chap on top who had been holding the lot on.

Group chat on our plans for tomorrow.

Saturday - 8.37pm Kathmandu (3.52pm UK)

Hi All

Yes, we are all here at the Summit Hotel, although it is dark and we can see no view. Arrived about 5.30pm and had a chat about how to convert our gear into about 15kg for the flight to Lukla.

We will get up at 4.30am for breakfast to then leave the hotel by 5.30am to go to the airport for the 1 hour flight to Lukla. We need to wear a lot of our bulky clothing so glad we are leaving early in the morning as it will be cool. 26.7C at the moment having cooled down from 28.5C when we arrived.

Need to clarify, the bags were not strapped onto the roof of the bus from the Airport. there was a man lying on them to make sure none dropped off. I think health and safety is a bit of an issue over here. Folk on motorbikes with no helmets - best one was a father, young daughter and the wife and only the husband had the helmet!
Cows wander about the place, sacred cows I'm told - streets were very busy, lots of noise from vehicle horns and folk staring at our bus, but I now know why, they were watching the guy on the roof no doubt.

Dinner was lovely, Chinese buffet. Changed my money into Nepalese Rupees and for my $160, I have a huge pile of notes, so many they won't fit into my purse. Thankfully Helen did a laminated money converter, very useful, pounds into dollars into rupees. We think the dinner was only 4 pounds and that included pudding.

The flight out was really good. Heathrow is a nightmare of a place, so glad to have left it. Qatar Airlines vey posh, TV on back of each seat and a huge choice of films to watch. On talking to the group, Happy Feet, Night at the Museum and The Queen seemed to be the selected films.

At Heathrow, we had excess weight because of the sports gear we are taking out and the 9kg cost over 240 pounds (this key board does not do pound sign). Manchester were much nicer and charged no excess.

Helen was searched at Manchester Airport, had to take her boots off and Jayne lost her soap that was in her hand luggage. Christin lost her soap at Heathrow - all those clean Guiders! Don't take soap in your hand luggage.

Doha was very flat and sunny, lots of sand, did not spot anything green. At 6.30am local time the temp was 22C and by the time we left Doha temp was at 28C, 8.15am so glad we did not stay there any longer.

On the flight to Kathmandu, we got our first view of the mountains in the distance peering up above the clouds. Tomorrow we will see them close up when we fly to Lukla. Really need to be getting some sleep.

My altimeter says we are at 1357metres. Lukla will be higher than that and we spend a short time before starting our walk.

This will probably be the last login for a while.

We also heard that as of yesterday the Maoists are part of the government and they hope we don't meet any and pay the ransom, but depends on whether the word has got around and we will be the first party into the Hinku since the news broke.

Heathrow - 3.10pm

Hi All

The flight to Heathrow went well. There was much interest in Lorraine's hand luggage and then she remembered she had a multi-tool sort of thing in it. That could not come with us, but we managed to negotiate to have it in the lost property section at the Airport to collect when we get back on 29th April - they only hold things for 30 days so we should manage.

All bags arrived in Heathrow, so that was good. Just wasting time at Heathrow, terminal 3, having moved here from terminal 1, walking through the tunnel.

These internet spots are great fun. Thanks to the Simpson family for the email card and flowers, what a great idea.

Had a coffee, walked about, need to do more of that as we don't meet up as a group until 6.30pm to then check in for the flight at 9.30pm tonight. Anne, our technical leader who lives in the Lake District phoned Mary this morning from the Arran Ferry as she had been there last night to drop off her dog for a holiday with friends. So Anne is now driving back to the Lakes to then be given a lift to Manchester to join up with that part of the team. Think that must be the worst journey out of all of us today!

We meet up with the team flying from Manchester in Doha, Qatar. Looking on the map in the British Airways mag, the flight path goes between Iran and Iraq - interesting!

Thanks Lesley, Bill and Kirsty for the journal, filled in a few pages so far, trying to be neat but the flight was a bit bumpy.

Lots of lovely emails picked up too, Liz, Anne, Susan, Spences, Gillian, Simpsons. Wonder if they have an internet spot in Doha? Mind you I might not be into emailing at what will be about 4 in the morning, but then there is about an hour to waste, so would give something to do.

Graeme hope the garage can make the car better. Oh, and I forgot to check who would take on the job of feeding the fish, Hannah might just overfeed them! Rona or Cameron, could you keep an eye on this please? If anyone is speaking to Graeme could you drop this it into the conversation just to check, or help him restock the tank for my return - thanks.

I hope I've sorted something out for wheely bins, hopefully Russell will keep an eye on this. Green bin on Tuesday Graeme incase you are wondering.

Better go and drink some water - get into practice of drinking 4 litres a day! Then look out for Jessica, Sue, Christine and Sarah to join us for check in. Mary, Lorraine, Suzie sitting with the bags, better go and see them in case they thing I've got lost.

Big kisses to Rona, Cameron, Hannah and Graeme and anyone else who wants one, who thinks they deserve one.

Kristine Johnson has left the building...

Every great journey begins with a single step. In this case it was more of a penguin shuffle, humphing a 30 kg bag to the car.

A few kisses, a few hugs and she was gone....

31 days to go - I wonder how far the house can descend into slobbery in that time?

Plan for April 2007

30th March Edinburgh to Heathrow to Doha to Kathmandu

31st March Arrive Kathmandu, Summit Hotel

1st April Fly to Lukla, trek - Poyan 2,800m

2nd April Cross the Poyan Khola, climb up to ridge overlooking Khare Khola, then down to Pangkongma (2,846m), farming and trading village.

3rd April Views to Takshindu monastery, then Mera. Up through forest, steep descent, cross wire rope bridge over the Kinku Khola, steep climb to Nashing Dingma (2,600m)

4th April Gain height through pasture then steeper climb to Surke La.
Continue to Chalem Kharka (3,600m). Missing my wedding anniversary oooops.

5th April Up through high grazing country. Views of Kangchenjunga and Jannu. Climb to Panch Pokari then descend to Chunbu Kharka (4,200m)

6th April Rest Day at Chunbu Kharka. Relaxation or scrambling on nearby rocky outcrops.
Acclimatisation

7th April Contour then series of steep desents through scree then rhododendron. Descent into Hinku Valley

8th April Follow dry riverbed up the valley to Tangnag (4,360m)
Tricky river crossing using a fallen log to balance our way over!

9th April Gain height gradually to Dig Kharka (4,650m) close to the foot of the Hinku Nup Glacier.

10th April Acclimatisation day, trip onto the glacier (5,100m).
"Ecole de glace" crampon and ice axe practice.

11th April Climb up to the Mera La (5,400m) and onto the Mera Glacier.
Establish base camp on the far side of the pass.

12th April Acclimatisation day (5,300m).
"Ecole de glace" on the snout of the glacier that descends from the Mera La.

13th April Climb to high camp (5,800m) (rocky picture above). Easy angled snow slopes, round crevasses.

14th April Mera Peak ascent (6,476m)
Views towards Everest (pictured above), Makalu, Nupse, Lhotse wall.

15th April Extra day to allow for bad weather or additional summit attempts.

16th to 19th April Return direct route crossing the Zatrwa La Pass (4,600m) to Lukla

20th April Fly to Kathmand, Hair-raising take-off! 45min flight

21st April Kathmandu, Invited to British Embassy for afternoon tea

22nd April Kathmandu

23rd to 27th April Kakani Project, Travel to Kakani, 25Km and N/W of Kathmandu meeting Guides & Scouts, Community work. Medical / Teaching / Landscaping teams.

28th April Return to Kathmandu via Doha to Manchester

29th April Arrive Manchester, Drive North Alamo Car Rental

Winter Skills January 2007

Our objective to practice using our warm down gear and to camp up the mountain. This involved us walking up the mountain, with heavy packs, camping, cooking equipment and we had tools to dig snow holes. Fortunately when we are away we will be supported with Porters and Sherpas and we can share the gear out, but it was a challenge walking in high winds, in the snow with heavy packs.


Meet my tent partner, Jayne who is from the Isle of Man. Jayne has recently become a Granny following the birth of Thomase and Oliver. She will deserve a medal sharing a tent with me for a month.



Camping was a challenge, our tent was held down with two ice axes, one at the back of the tent and one at the front. The pegs just disappeared into the snow.






I helped to build a snow hole after I had pitched the tent and made the dinner. Hard work digging the snow out, here helping Lorraine, from Sauchie who is at the entrance kicking the snow down the slope.


In the morning we had to be up and ready to walk off the hill at 7am. Up early, in the dark packing things away in a confined space! I managed to take the tent down in the high wind with Jayne still sitting in it, which was just as well as another team lost their tent when it just blew away up the mountain, not to be seen again. Our task was to walk off the hill in the dark, roped together. I was at the front leading the group who were spaced out along the rope. I would walk, take a step and realise I could not move because someone had either stopped or fallen over, but we managed and got use to walking in a different way.

Background September 2005 to 2006

For those of you not up to speed on what this is about 'Women with Altitude', it is a group of 18 Girl Guide Leaders from the UK going on an adventure to Nepal to climb Mera Peak (6,476metres), followed by an invite to the British Embassy in Kathmandu for afternoon team, then we journey to Kakani Scout Centre, 25km north west of Kathmandu to participate in a community project, there will be teaching, medical, landscaping teams and provide some entertainment to the Guides and Scouts.




Following the selection weekend in September 2005 the team have met up to train, February 2006 we were in the Cairngorms for ice axe and crampon skills. I'm the one with a drink!

The team met up in June 06 and walked in the Lakes, though I missed that one.


We met up in September 2006 in the Peak District and what a wet weekend that was.








Lots and lots of rain and quite windy on the hills but it was good to meet up and talk about our forthcoming adventure. Anne, our Technical Leader had returned from Mera Peak, having been in Nepal that April when Nepal was highlighted in the news and she shared her stories and pictures of where we will be going. That team did not make it to the top of Mera Peak because there was unusual heavy snow which prevented them finding their way across the crevasses. Lets hope there is no unusual snow in 2007.



Let me introduce you to HATMAN. A company had donated many hats and one morning we woke up to this wonderful creation, a spectacular piece of hat art!

Bye Bye mummy!!

Hi
I am Rona I am ten and my mum is doing somthing she has wanted to do for a long time, my dad too but he has to stay here and watch us. I am going to miss her but she will have a great time!! My dad is taking us on holiday yipee!! With my auntie Laura and uncle Kit and Baby Mia and finally my gran.

My Mum is an adventurous person! She loves climbing and what all mums love doing best SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will keep this updated and you will see how she is doing!

Rona
xxx

Girlguide Leaders 2007 Mera Peak Expedition

I don't remember this photo when Adventure Works gave a slide show at the outset, September 2005 when we were all competing for a place on the expedition in the Lake District - can you imagine a power point presentation inside a tent - it happened, Guiders find a way.
Looking at this picture I hope there's an easy way up round the back.


Last day at work today, tried my best to finsh all the work that needed done, but it never stops. Support from colleagues has been tremendous, thanks Mary, Alison, Michael and Colin for the coffee break this afternoon. The HR team, Jean, Janice, Linda, Anne-Marie, Lyn, Janice, Kristina have been wonderful as always and it has been a nice day for cuddles. Thanks to Rebecca for ordering me to have tomorrow off to double check the packing and to have mum time with the children before I depart.


Took my Rab Duvet Jacket into work today, thought it would be fun to let folk try it on, better today than when I return, might pong a bit. Many willing volunteers.


Thanks for the lovely cards, Mum & Dad, Johnson II, Lynne, Mrs Cavin, Donal & Joan, Kim, Dollar Rainbows, Tricia (District Commissioner) & Rachael, Irene (County Commissioner), Rebecca (age 4) the bunny is in my bag and I'll find a wee girl in Nepal to give it to. Thanks for good wishes by email from Liz Pitcairn, Scottish Chief Commissioner. Jean and Janice, your charm is on my purse and I'm sure to have good luck.

I'm used to walking up Kings Seat in the Ochills (648 metres) and Mera Peak is 6,476 metres, so thats 10 times the height and 14/15 days to get there, then I need to get back. Fingers crossed I don't get altitude sickness. Thanks Ian for the exercises to do on the aeroplane, instructions packed.

Thanks to all Children's Services staff and to friends for fundraising support. Money safely banked and we will find a suitable cause and let you know about it. Provost gifts for British Embassy safely packed. What have I forgotten?

More cards in the post today, thanks to the Williams, Johnson III, MacCormicks, Jeanette. Lovely emails from Suzy, Alistair, Christine, Avril, all those positive thoughts will make a difference. Apart from learning how to create a blog today, I made a small photo album up as that is one of the items on the expedition dossier. Nepalise are interested in our western life and the best way to share is by photograph. I love my new printer!