Namche Bazaar - Mountain City

Triple Crown 2016- Nepal in Namche Bazaar

Just a quick update on our progress. We were lucky to get out on schedule to Lukla, the weather window closed in behind us so we are happy about getting in, and on, with this expedition on schedule.

I must say I'm surprised by the evidence of wealth up here in the Khumbu. New lodges are going up all around and they've built a water fountain in the village, or rather mountain city. There is a new high-end North Face store that resembles something you'd see downtown Vancouver and more shops coming. The dominating visitors this year appear to be Asian and mostly small groups. I haven't ran into any climbers yet. Things have definitely changed since I was here this time last year.

What's happening in Nepal is good example to those looking to help Haitians. 

 Grassroots works!  

We are sleeping in Debouche tonight and tomorrow we visit with Lama Geshi for pretty special blessing. We'll share the details of that with you tomorrow.


Tim

http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm
http://rippeling.blogspot.ca  (Earth Bag Build)

Gammon Bag Demonstration 

Linda Blakely & Tee Tolliver 

Nepal Triple Crown 2016 Team

Triple Crown Team 2016' - Kathmandu - Nepal

Here is our team minus one who arrived later from India, and also minus our Sherpa staff that they'll join with in the Khumbu tomorrow.  This years team consists of professional athletes, beginner/novice climbers and the rest come with impressive climbing bios.  Members are from Canada, Australia, USA, UK and India, and most are close to the same age. 

Kathmandu is quiet. Tim met with a couple longtime Nepalese expedition agents the past couple of days and learned that tourist visits are definitely down which contradicts what local news has been reporting. Agents are however still keeping busy with administration due to more individual bookings compared to the groups they used to get. 

The past day or two the team has been busy purchasing required equipment, going out for meals together, bonding, and doing reviews of emergency equipment like the Gammow Bag (hyperbaric chamber). 

Tomorrow the team is up at 5:00am and off to Lukla if weather permits. Ive been watching high winds in my weather reports that has the potential to thwart tomorrows flights. We'll keep followers updated on the situation here on this blog.

Becky Rippel

• OCTOBER 2016 http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm
• NOVEMBER 2016  Rippel Effect Earth Bag Build Nepal
• TO LEARN MORE AND TO DONATE TO THE EARTH BUILD First Steps Himalaya