Everest16: Post 3: Lobuche 16,200 Eco lodge tea house.

Our approach to Basecamp brings us through the Khumbu valley also know as the Sherpa kingdom we have been camping in the same villages that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay did in 1953. We passed a Gupa dedicated to Norgay outside Namche at the point on the trail where you get the first view of Everest he passed away in 1986. It is hard to believe they did this with the gear then and the unknown so far away from anyone that rescue was not a option. The valley is still inhabited by several that make a living farming and selling supplies and services to Trekkers and climbers. The last few years have been bad with the accidents and season closed in 2014 and 15 it has hurt the local economy many have moved to make a living they call it Braun drain most of the strongest porters and farm hands are moving to places like Qatar to help build soccer stadiums for the world games working for 100 dollars a month. The count is almost 800,000 Nepalis have left and are living in the Middle East.

The Nepalese people are very welcoming children are running to the trails to greet you with namaste. The high lama that we got our blessing from and his brother are married to the same women which is common here. The part that's funny is they had a son and couldn't determine who's it was so they named him "I don't Know" which was the wifi password in the resturant in town. Met two little girls on the trail reminded me of Mal and Jade hamming it up for my camera. It has been 11 days since I left and things like that remind me of home and make me a little homesick now with limited com will only get worst.

I am a day away from the trek into Basecamp and 2 rest days. I am in Lobuche spent last last few days climbing from village to village the higher we go the more difficult it gets. I lost cell and wifi two days ago and sat phone only works outside and it is cold and snowing and much of my gear is at Basecamp. I had a day rest in Namche and another at Pheriche although we climbed up to 16,500 and back to 14,000 to acclimatize, I had a bad night sleep the day befrore the long training climb gave me a good nights sleep. The trek has given us panaramic views of the mountain which are amazing the closer soon the peaks become hidden until we reach camp 3 at 23,500 ft.

Learning more about the team everyday they are from all over the world most speak good English. Unlike the others I am unfamiliar with the trails and stick by someone that knows the way. We have Sherpa but most are at base camp getting tents and summit gear ready and a few are traveling with us cooking and helping guide. I have a young female Sherpa Yangie that is right behind me every step I was huffing badly coming up a steep hill and she ask if she could carry my pack. Her pack was 60lbs double mine I need the training and maybe my ego wouldn't let her carry for me. Her dad Mingma is one of the head Sherpa he had 3 daughters she is the oldest and hopes to be a Sherpa guide. She is a trekking guide which is different than the climbing Sherpa that I meet tomorrow when I arrive at base camp and will be sharing a tent with above base camp.

We walked though the climber memorial a very solemn moment we saw the stone for Scot Fisher and many other climbers that died on the mountain, we run into Rob Hall tomorrow before we get to base camp. Our leader climbed with both and had funny stories about them he brought his team the the summit and down safely in 96 and other than those 2 days said was one of the best climbing years. He is planning to summit with the team but last few attempts he has stopped short for a rescue. He is missing a few toes but is very safe and I know I am with the right person. he stops Everest exhibitions after next year to spend time with his young son and will do K2 instead #2 tallest and more technical he has climbed it 2 times once with Fisher.

I know I have rambled but a lot has happened that I don't want to leave out. My confidence is still good and I have good and bad days which will be the case for the rest of the expedition I think I get cell service in base camp which will help. I will update everyone on our next rest day till then stay warm.