Namaste everyone,

The team is hanging tough here in Khumbu. Today we departed Namche and hiked for about 6 hours today up and down, dropping all the way down to a river, which is a stunning turquoise, then climbed slowing up the hill before the famous Tengboche Monastery. Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favor, normally we get to see might Everest off in the distance as well as many other Himalayan giants, but not today. 

I’m grateful the team didn’t seem to mind, and everyone chatted happily, except on those uphill sections. 

Traditionally we have gotten a blessing from a famous lama in Pangboche, but sadly that lama has moved on to a higher calling. So today we were able to request a private Puja with another lama at Tengboche and each receive a blessing. The Puja is a Buddhist ceremony where the lama chants a Buddhist prayer and gives us a blessing to protect us from harm and grant us health and a long life. 

We've settled in to a nice and warm tea house called Rivendale that's incredibly clean and nice. I shouldn’t mention the heated blankets everyone is enjoying, since we want you all to think we’re roughing it! 

RMI Guide Casey Grom and The Warm and Newly Blessed Crew. 

Hello again from Nepal.

All is well here in Namche and the team is doing great. Today is scheduled as a rest/acclimatization day to help our bodies adjust to the change in altitude. Normally I like to get the team out for a little exploring and sightseeing, but the weather had other plans for us. So instead, we had a leisurely morning here around the tea house and once the clouds broke, we ventured out to wonder this beautiful and friendly village. Some headed for coffee shops while other went off in search for unknown treasures.

We reconvened around noon to enjoy some amazing food at the local fresh food spot called “Eat Smart “and did just that!

We did manage a short hike to see the town from one of the adjacent hillsides and then did a little “puffy pants” shopping to help keep us nice and toasty higher up the valley.

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Puffy Pants Crew

Namaste everyone.

This morning we left our tea house in Phakding and headed up the valley toward Namche Bazaar, which is the largest village in this famous valley. We hit the trail just before 8 along with quite a few other trekkers.  Everyone did really well on the hike, and no one seemed to mind pausing often for the endless mules and Zopkyos (cross between a Yak and a cow) carrying loads headed up valley and basecamp as we made our up the trail. It was moderately busy on the route with trekkers and porters alike, but thankfully the traffic seem to flow pretty smoothly.

The team crossed a number of high suspension bridges without a problem, even with a light rain falling. Overall it was a really enjoyable day as we climbed up to just over 11'200 where Namche sits.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and Base Camp Crew

Hello from the Khumbu Valley!

We started our day here pretty early, meeting in the hotel lobby at 5:30am. After checking out of the hotel we had a short ride to the domestic airport were we weighed all of our duffels and backpacks before getting tickets and slipping through a very laid back security check. Normally there’s a little bit of waiting before heading out, but today things moved along pretty quickly. 

We opted for helicopter flights to the Lukla airport and avoided the small planes that require land on an uphill runway.  After we touched down, we connected with our local Sherpa guides hired a few porters that will be carrying our duffles throughout the trek. We made a brief stop at a local tea house to have breakfast and get situated before hitting the trail. 

We hiked for about four hours today with few stops to rest and to take in the beautiful scenery. We arrived at our camp for the night in a village called Phakding just in time for a well earned lunch. The team got settled, had naps, or explored a little before walking a short way to one of the many Monastery’s here in the Valley. Luckily for us the Monks were having a prayer session and allowed us to sit in while they chanted and blew their horns. It was very surreal and a wonderful way to start this adventure. 

All is well!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Namaste! 

Greetings from Nepal

The team has finally arrived in Kathmandu after some incredibly long flights and we are slowly adjusting to the 12 hour time change. Not an easy task by any means. 

We started our first day with a round of introductions, getting acquainted and discussing the necessities to our upcoming adventure to Everest Base Camp. Then headed out to visit a few famous temples here in Kathmandu. First up was the massive Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the largest in the world. Then Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple that over looks most of Kathmandu. They are two of the sevn World Heritage sites here in Nepal. 

We wrapped up the evening by getting all of our gear packed and an amazing meal at a restaurant call “Le Sherpa”, sort of a modern fusion on new and old Nepali food. 

Everyone is doing well and very much looking forward to heading into the mountains tomorrow! 

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Everest Base Camp crew