Everest Adventure - the Journey Begins

I woke up this morning excited and nervous about leaving on my first trip to Asia and the magical land of Nepal. Back in October had I booked "An Everest Adventure" with an adventure travel company to spend several weeks hiking up to the Everest Base Camp. Now the day had come.

But by 8:00 a.m. the focus of my day completely changed when my 15-year-old cat Dunquin suddenly got very ill. I took him to the vet, where I was told he had another serious health problem on top of his other issues. The compassionate and very difficult thing to do was to say goodbye to him.

So rather than a day centered on organization and planning and saying a temporary goodbye to friends and family, it became a day with one final goodbye and the beginning of a transition. I should have plenty of time to reflect on all of this in the next few days. I have a long flight, or rather, flights – about 24 hours in all – to get to Katmandu. I hope to arrive with a clearer head and enough energy to visit some of the major Buddhist stupas (temples) near Katmandu, many of them around 500 years old, while I'm there.

         

Some Trip Details

The trek actually begins on April 4 when we’ll board a small plane and fly to Lukla where Sir Edmund Hillary built an airport in the 1960s. This small airport, the starting point for most Everest treks, is famed for its short runway with a 12% gradient. Some say that taking off and landing at Lukla is the most exciting part of the whole trip.

This map shows the route for hikes to the basecamp, although few people actually get to the basecamp. Most opt for the climb up Kala Patthar (18,000 ft) to see the famous view of the tallest mountain on earth and only the strongest among us have the strength to complete that climb and then head to the basecamp. (FYI . . . that wouldn’t be me.)

Namche Bazaar (photo) is the largest town along the way and the last place to get supplies. It sits at 11,280 and we spend two days there acclimating. I should arrive there on April 5. 

On this journey, I simply plan to do my best during the hike, while remembering to enjoy the experience, the scenery and the people I meet along the way. I have no idea how far I’ll get. Maybe I’ll see the famous view of Mt. Everest from Kala Patthar. Maybe I’ll even get to the basecamp. I don’t know.

One thing I will do is hang a prayer flag in the Himalayas in remembrance of Dunquin. Not too many DC cats can say that!

Support your local Capital City Symphony

One of our great regional symphonies, the Capital City Symphony, will be performing this Sunday, March 20 at 5:00 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, NE. 

Why should you go? Mainly because the Capital City Symphony is a quality organization that has put together an intriguing program for Sunday's concert:

• Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man
• Brahms, Tragic Overture
• Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5

But another reason to attend is simply to support a regional group like Capital City, one that keeps music alive and affordable for people in our neighborhoods and communities. Just as local community theaters bring quality plays to people who might not be inclined to pay $40+ to see a show downtown, local classical groups help to keep the music alive by introducing it to new audiences throughout the DC area. And these groups provide a platform for talented non-professionals – our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and friends – to showcase their skills  and abilities. 

By attending a Capital City Symphony concert, you're also supporting the Atlas Performing Arts Center, the only community-based performing arts center in Washington. Since 2006, the Atlas has been bringing arts performances to the revitalized area along H Street, NE. 

Tickets are $25 and available through their website and at the Atlas box office.

Capital City Symphony Info

Travel and Adventure Show, March 12 - 13

In what's become an annual event, this year's Travel and Adventure Show will take place at the Washington DC Convention Center on Saturday, March 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I've been to this show several times. It's chock full of adventure travel companies ready and willing to talk to you about that kayaking trip across Borneo you've always dreamed about or maybe just a long weekend in Bermuda. You'll also get the chance to look at travel equipment and gear, watch international dance performances, sample cuisines from different regions, and talk to representatives from local organizations like the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

This year, Samantha Brown from The Travel Channel will be there, along with other writers and television travel hosts who will talk about traveling smart, breaking the vacation mold, and taking that trip of a lifetime . . . all designed to inspire us to get out and explore the world. This year will also feature talks about traveling in Belize, Panama, Israel, Nicaragua, Cuba, Australia and New Zealand.

Tickets are available now for only $9.00 on their website.

Travel and Adventure Show