CTSS Western Guided Team
My team, and multiple other teams, from around the world, all arrived today. My quiet YNY oasis just turned into the bustling hotel Ive experienced so many times before! “HELLO MY NEW BEST FRIENDS”, for the next 2 months! My team, the CTSS Western Guided, has 9 climbers, 2 western guide and 3 Nepali guides. 1 of our guides Pem Chhiri, is a member of the Nepali Climbing Team THAT JUST SUMMITED K2!!! What what? Yes, read that again. I do NOT get “star struck”, except when it comes to bad ass mountaineers like this. OH, which reminds me… also hiking with Kate Rutherford, world renowned rock climber and Patagonia ambassador. My guides… my team… CTSS… other companies… I am surrounded by the best of the best. I am truly humbled to be a part of this climb.
Casey and Mark ran us through a thorough briefing and later performed final gear check. We also traded a lot of swag! I brought “EVEREST SAVAGE” trucker hats for everyone, cause that’s what we are! CTSS gave each of us a down jacket, ball hat, and buff for the mountain. Scott (teammate) handed out a lightweight buff for everyone as well. He is raising money to support an amazing foundation, FirefightersforHealing.com . Following others, training for Everest, I am moved how many of us are climbing not only for ourselves, but to inspire others, or in support of helping others. Again, truly humbling group to be a part of.
I have also been doing an excellent job of EATING A LOT the last 5 days. Many of my family and friends are concerned I didn’t have enough weight on me. Well, rest assured, I put on a couple LBs at the impressive YNY buffet! Ha!
This evening, we have our last Kathmandu team dinner, then separate our gear into 4 groups: Everest Base Camp (all our highest altitude gear), Lobuche Base Camp (20,075 ft summit on the way to EBC, just for kicks, because we’re #EverestSavage), Trekking bag (that will come with us teahouse to teahouse), and my day pack (my backpack I carry with food, water, layers and electronics). Tomorrow, 5 am meet up in the lobby, dressed to hike, load up the vans and head to the airport. It’s GO TIME BABY!
*Please be patient if misspellings occur. I AM dyslexic and have little time to edit. dhanyabaad
About the author : Kim
