Trip Reports

Mera Peak - 15 Oct to 8 Nov '10

Written by Leader Jim Kerr, November 2010

Brian(the Major), Jax, Henry(T shirt),Mike, Tris (nickname withheld), Jamie(lucky!), Simon, Mark and leader Jim(the Captain)

The team met London Heathrow with the exception of Mark who met us in Kathmandu . No problems and good flight out with Jet Airways: good legroom and food. Bit of extra entertainment at Delhi with power cuts at the airport.

Met by Summit team at airport. Small technical hitch on way to hotel with accelerator cable breaking in rush hour traffic: fixed in good humour by braiding the hair of a rare KTM rodent(or was it an elastic band).

Arrived to doom and gloom stories of bad weather, no flights to Lukla and expensive alternatives. However we had faith and after Simon had a word with his new God we were Off. Lots to do and sort (umbrella proved to be a useful purchase).On our way by 1030.Torrential rain first afternoon and very pleased to be in a teahouse rather than camping.

Next few days were mostly dry mornings with rainy afternoons. We passed through Puiyan, Pangkongma, Nashing Dingma, Chalem Kharka, Chanbu Kharka. The pattern was 6 am bed tea,645 breakfast walking often 2hrs morning same afternoon with 1hr lunch. Some interesting villages, lovely people. Hard crossing over to Chanbu Kharka: highest altitude for the team crossing one col 4250m and second at 4400m.Miserable weather exacerbated by the “Clingons” untimely comment of “unlucky” when our mess tent wasn’t yet ready.

Glad to get back on the main trail again at Kote (after a lot of hovering at 4350m,good acclimatisation).Even more glad to get a chance to shower, wash clothes and general day off at Tangnag 4350m.Bad luck for Mike who decided on a stroll with Dharingi: strolling Sherpa style at 500m/hr.

Team now felt they were getting stuck into climbing the mountain. Moved on up to Khare. Some alarming moments with a one eyed man, paraffin heater and blow torch under the table! Fortunately we decided we were happy with the cold. Had our fair share of headaches by this time and a speedy run behind the bushes for Jamie but Khare took out first casualty with Jax having a bad stomache ache that wouldn’t go away. So sadly Brian, Jax, Dharingi and a porter had to descend to Tangnag then on down to Khote to wait for us. For the rest of us it was training on the glacier, then Base camp5300, then high camp 5800m(a fairly squalid rocky exposed camp. The highlight of which was “table man, our favourite porter” running down the hill towards us with a kettle in one hand and mugs in the other. A truly magnificent man.

Summit day started badly with Mark having a bad night and not coming. Jamie also felt very poorly and had had to turn back but managed to break the 6000m mark. The Captain also had a moment with chest infection grumbling but we all managed to struggle on to the sun, summit and magnificent views. Simon was having long chats with his new god on the way up which seemed to work.

Descent back to Khare then on down to Khote. Team tired on the way out. Lots of hacking coughs and antibiotics. Zatwra la 4650m proved tough enough on the way out. Steep snowy terrain with fixed ropes to negotiate.

Last day back to Lukla an easy 2 hrs. Some serious happy hour action at the Scotis bar followed by some very dodgy dancing at the porters party:”apron boy” showing off some very fine dance moves and “speedy Sherpa” showing moves at the other end of the dance spectrum. Very nice last few days hanging around the Summit hotel and sightseeing/shopping in Kathmandu.

Big congratulations to the team, great fun, good company, morning!

Jim Kerr, Expedition Leader « Previous report | Next report »

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