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It was another beautiful day here in the Khumbu valley, and we had some nice views of Ama Dablam as we headed out of Namche, but high clouds keep us from seeing Everest today. Normally that wouldn’t be ideal, but the clouds and light breeze made for ideal hiking weather and we’ll certainly see Everest again soon enough.
We hiked for about 6 hours today up and down, dropping all the way down to a river called Dodh Koshi, which is a stunning turquoise, then climbed slowing up the hill to the famous Tengboche Monastery.
Traditionally we have gotten a blessing from a famous lama in Pangboche, but 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 received 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. Everyone receive a silk scarf called a khata and a sungdi, which is a string we wear around our neck that embodies the prayer.
We've since settled into a nice and warm tea house called Rivendale that is hosting a handful of trekkers from around the world.
Hot showers and good conversations have rounded out the evening and now it's time for a little rest.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the newly blessed crew.
New Post Alerts:
Everest Base Camp Trek, March 9, 2025
Posted by: Eric Frank, Pepper Dee
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Posted by: Mike Walter, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 9,127'
I think my family might be in this group. Congratulations!!
Posted by: Diane Pinney on 6/10/2013 at 3:21 pm
Lucy, Corell, and Elsie…HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures and fun!
-DM
Posted by: Dana Marie Buchanan on 7/25/2011 at 8:27 am
Today, we feel loved, extra loved, some might say. In honor of Valentine's Day and our loved ones, who let us choose to be climbing Aconcagua rather than be at home, we want to say thank you and we love you. Our climb early this morning was no easy feat. We battled high winds and cold temperatures; so much so that we were covered head to toe in every layer we brought on this trip. Our loved ones would have barely recognized us. We did, however, accomplish our goal of standing on top of the Stone Sentinel. We are back at high camp safely, but also looking forward to some much deserved rest before making our full descent home over the next 5 days. Some people might ask, "Why do you put yourself through such grueling tribulations?" It's because of love; our love for the mountains, our love for the people we get to share these experiences with, and our love for the memories we get to obtain and cherish. But this post is for our loved ones back home. We love you, we miss you, we are safe, and we look forward to seeing you soon when we return home.
RMI Guides Ben Luedtke, Hannah Blum & Team
New Post Alerts:
Aconcagua Expedition January 31, 2025
Hola from 16,000 ft on the northern flanks of Ecuador’s most famous mountain, Cotopaxi. We apologize for not sending a dispatch yesterday because we were so excited to get here, we simply forgot. I assure all of you faithful followers the effects of altitude on memory are minimal, I just forget things naturally.
Once moved in last night we endured a very restless evening because apparently the workers knew we were coming and couldn’t stop painting, pounding, dragging and talking well into the night. So this morning we drank our coffee, packed our bags and headed to the glacier for some skills training unrelated to our climb. The weather is a vast improvement over the weather on Cayambe and all the teams that climbed last night made it to the top.
Not it is 4:30 pm and the hut is busting with tourists and climbers hoping to attempt tonight as well. Everyone is in good spirits and excited to climb! We all feel our chances are good.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s dispatch.
Wishing the best climb to the Knoff led team. Mom
Posted by: Jane Knoff on 1/16/2020 at 12:30 pm
Team Knoff -
You are in the best of hands with your guide team!
Keep the “rest step” in sync and you’ll be on the summit in no time! And remember to breathe… Ahhhhh….
Most importantly, support each other and make it a trip of a lifetime, because it’s exactly that!
Cheers-
Tom
PS - Adam, I’ll be with Davis on Orizaba in a few days. RMI is the best!
Posted by: Tom Mulvey on 1/15/2020 at 10:20 pm
Posted by: Jake Beren, Leon Davis, Zeb Blais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 9,000'
hey bro,,,gud going,,TC
Posted by: jp n reenu on 12/22/2012 at 8:06 pm
Wishing you all an amazing and safe adventure. Dawn, we are checking in regularly and watching you in awe. Be safe and have fun!
Posted by: Ann Swank on 12/21/2012 at 7:10 pm
Congratulations to All! Job well done!
Anne and Jeff - we are SO Proud of you and your climbing team!
Our Love and Respect to all!
Don and Liz Bistline
Posted by: Donald Bistline on 5/18/2012 at 8:13 pm
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