We arrived in Kathmandu yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. Despite not sleeping on the flight, We’re all feeling a lot more relaxed now that we’ve left home. The final days were actually fairly stressful and for a tired mind the time differences here are initially a struggle. We transited in Delhi which has a 5.5hr time different with London and then we landed in Kathmandu which is a further 15 minutes ahead!
On arriving I was also delighted to see my first column in the Irish Times published on the back page of Saturday sports section and online. This first piece is more of an intro/background to me before we fly out and then from next week I’ll be writing from Himalaya.
On arriving in Kathmandu we were met at the hotel Manaslu in Thamel by our expedition leader Tim Mosedale and we also met Blake and Jonathan who are also on the Everest Summit Team. Blake is from Australia and lives in Barcelona while Jonathan and I know each other from climbing in Alaska last year. I’ll introduce the team properly over the coming days.
The highlight of today was visiting the Child Rescue Nepal boys and girls home in the outskirts of Kathmandu. We had a great time meeting Jamuna and her team and of course all the boys and girls who are currently living there and just broke up for holidays today. Jamuna and her team are doing an incredible job and we received a blessing for the trip ahead and well wishing cards and a banner made by the kids! Brilliant day and its reinforced just how much a change our fundraising will make to the communities of Makwanpur.
It’s hard to overstate how impressed we were with the work Jamuna and her team are doing, rescuing children from shocking situations of trafficking and abuse and ensuring they have a positive environment to develop. We are also very grateful for the blessing we received for our trip and for all the beautiful wishes the kids had drawn for us for the trip and a safe and successful summit.
This evening we met the more arrivals from the trekking and climbing teams: Billy the ex military man from Durham, Laura from Scotland, and Xena from Balham, Ronny Rehn form Dresden who I was training with in Scotland a couple of weeks ago. We all went out for a great meal and a few beers after. Given we’ve now left for the trip, I ended my alcohol ban yesterday and have been enjoying some Everest beers on this trip thus far.
To support Child Rescue Nepal and our school building project in Makwanpur please visit virginmoneygiving.com/letsbuildschools
Mate I read your Irish Times article. It is very well written and compelling. I’m still impressed they would publish it though. I hope it gives you a boost on the fundraising. You should provide the links on the posts.
Well done on the Irish Times article, very impressive.
Best of luck in Nepal.