We managed to assemble our entire trekking team in Kathmandu today.  Ten trekkers and two guides joined forces far from home to begin a new adventure in the Himalaya.  It was a busy day, to be sure.  We met after breakfast to do introductions and to go over strategies and priorities for our trek to Gokyo. Then we embarked on a Kathmandu city tour with a fearless driver and a very knowledgeable city guide, Nraj.  The team was amazed at the seemingly chaotic traffic patterns and the creative electrical circuitry hanging from each pole.  We started with a thorough tour of Bodinath -the largest Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu.  We visited a school of Thanka art and made a circuit (clockwise) of the great central dome.  We then survived a ride to the other side of town to visit the Monkey Temple, to see the critters and the fabulous view of the city from the hilltop perch.  As fascinating as the city is, it was considered important to get back to the Yak and Yeti hotel for packing and prepping for tomorrow’s early departure. We conducted equipment checks and talked over how to pack.  We rested and then got together for a last “big city” dinner.  We hope to fly first thing tomorrow. 

RMI Guide Dave Hahn