Lukla and start of the trek

Having taken the Nepalese equivilent to British Airways (Yeti Air) I arrived in Lukla (see left)

We then proceeded to walk to Benker which was a beatiful tranqil collection of houses overlooking the most magnificent mountains

Today I am in a small village at 12500ft called Namche Bazar....very hard to breathe...but gorgeous place!

Arrival in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU

30th October 2008

I arrived in Kathmandu and disaster struck.....my bags never showed! 2 days later and having missed my groups departure....they still wernt there....and then at the last possible minute they turned up! So I booked my flight for Sunday morning having spent a lovely shabbat at the local Chabad House and headed for the mountains. Here are my photos of Kathmandu.

2 days to go

Hi Folks,

Two days till departure and bags are backed, legs are well exercised and mind is in gear!

Feel free to send a FREE message to my satellite phone on:

http://Messaging.iridium.com and entering my number 881651445740

or email via 881651445740@msg.iridium.com (RESTRICTED TO 160 LETTERS)

Would be lovely to hear from you.

Next update will be from 3500m
B

3 WEEKS TO GO

PRE EVEREST TRAINING ON MOUNT SNOWDON

Ben Nevis Climb

5 weeks before my departure I headed to the highlands of Scotland to climb Ben Nevis. I did this in a great time summitting after a hard 3.5 hour climb to the top. It was cold but great expereience for the upcoming trip! This weekend off to Snowdonia to climb Mount Snowdon in the final mountain experience before the big day.

8 Weeks to Go....

Hi Guys...

Welcome to my blog of my upcoming trip to Base Camp Everest. On here I'll try and keep you all updated to my movements through the Himalayas. I'll be heading off on October 29th and arriving in the mountains on 1st November where I'll be spending 19 days getting to Mount Everest and back.

The madness all began in March this year when I was taken into hospital for the second collapsed lung in 3 years and told I would need lung surgery to remove a significant diseased part of my lung. Recovering in hospital post surgery (and not able to walk more than 3 feet) I figured "what would be better than to stand at the foot of the giant of all giants!" ....so here I am 5 months later getting ready for the trip of a lifetime...and looking forward to 18,000 ft and no oxygen!

As part of the trip I'm trying to raise money for two wonderful causes: Lung Research at the Heart Hospital (without this type of institution I wouldnt be doing this trip) and for Nightingale House, a superb old age home that cares for over 130 residents and provides home for life, providing total security and peace of mind regardless of how much their physical or mental health may deteriorate. If you havnt already been I ask you to go to my just giving site http://www.justgiving.com/bengranteverestchallenge and make a pledge....whatever you can give would be ever so much appreciated.

Well....thats all for now. I'll do an update before the trip and then will be posting photos and stories for everyone to catch up once I'm in Nepal.

Thanks for your support!

Ben