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Thursday, March 20, 2025 - 5:10 pm PT

The daily life is rewarding out here and part of that is how simple it is. We woke up in Phakding this morning and had a delicious breakfast. The dining room was cozy and heated by a stove in the middle of the room. Soon, we said our goodbyes to Nawang (the owner of the teahouse who smiles with his whole face) and started the hike to Namche.

We meandered along the side of the Dudh Koshi river, so vibrant with its blue rushing water.

We crossed many suspension bridges, one time we even made it half way across one before a big mule train faced us down from the other side - we backtracked! You never challenge a mule on a hanging bridge.

Soon we found ourselves at the base of the Namche hill - we slowed our pace and moved together one step at a time. Halfway up, we saw a glimpse of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) and that was the boost we needed to keep going.

Being close to nature, having a great community with this team and having a goal each day to enjoy the moment we are in - this is the simple life but it feels like pure happiness.

RMI Guide Jess Wedel and the Lobuche team

On The Map

On The Map

On The Map

Apologies for the short and sweet blog entry, but I promise Jared will make up for it tomorrow. Today our team carried gear and food to cache at Cholera, Camp 3. At 19,600ft above sea level it was a high point for almost all on the team. The slog uphill in snow was peaceful with beautiful views all around, but damn hard. Elevation gain of 1600ft in 3 hours at the altitude we’re at had us utilizing our rest steps and pressure breaths the entire way up. 

Returning to camp for an afternoon nap was what we all needed, or maybe that was just me. Yes, Brian, I actually took a nap in the middle of the afternoon. Please mark the occasion. We spent the rest of our time mentally preparing ourselves for the next two days which will have us moving to high camp and making a summit attempt. 

As I lay in my tent reflecting on the last 10 days on this mountain, I am again filled with gratitude. I’m grateful I get to spend yet another night on the mountain in good health and spirits. I’m grateful for my gear that is going to keep me warm and moving on summit day. I’m grateful for my teammates who are always encouraging each other. I’m grateful for technology that can get sick climbers off the mountain and to the help they need quickly. I’m grateful for the incredible views from the pee spot at Camp 2. I’m grateful for strong legs to carry me up the mountain. I’m grateful for my tent mate Andrew who doesn’t give me a hard time about having to unzip the tent in gusting winds to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (sometimes twice). I’m grateful for all my people who love and support me and never tell me to stop doing this thing I love. And lastly, but most importantly- I’m grateful for a guide team that calmly snaps into action and handles urgent situations with the utmost professionalism. Ben, Ray and Batti continue to give us all the confidence we need to get up this hill. I can’t imagine there are finer guides on this mountain than the ones we get to call ours. 

Jojo, CMan and IzBiz- thank you for giving up your mama for a few weeks. I’m almost there! BPerk- paint a picture…

RMI Climber Christine Perkinson