Hi everyone. We are in Bangkok enjoying our final day before flying home tomorrow. We've had a busy day. A river cruise this morning followed by a wander around the huge Siam Centre (shopping mall) this afternoon. A visit to a night market by the river tonight will complete our day in Bangkok. We are due out to the airport early in the morning for our flight home, arriving in Melb late tomorrow night.

It's been a trip of ups and downs. It was so good to see the Himalaya with a beautiful layer of heavy snow all over. The scenery (when not in cloud) was truly superb. But it made for tough trekking, and it was devestating for the group not to stand on top of KP. The salt was rubbed into our still stinging wound days later when we learnt back in Kathmandu that Kalar Pattar had in fact been climbed later that very same day that we turned back...!!! Details of how and what route were taken (or even what risks were taken!!) were not confirmed, but it still stung us nonetheless.

The group trekked strongly. To complete a 3 day return back to Lukla in deep snow was testament to this. And we had several evenings laughing aloud in some of the local bars, lodges and restaurants on the trek and around Kathmandu.

As always, it's been fantastic having all of you follow us with encouragement and some welcome humour. I've loved reading your blog responses to the group most nights. It makes the challenge of updating a trip blog when there is often little or no wifi worth it. A legitimate thanks to all of you.

Namaste.

We've had some relaxing days in Kat. Some have chosen to hang around the sun drenched gardens of the Guest House and read (temp - 25deg plus), while others have walked to some far reaches of the inner city. We have also adopted an afternoon activity of setting out and exploring all those little dark alleyways, stairways and gloomy passageways that everyone walks past around Thamel (this activity started by Greg B a few years back). We've been so surprised where some of these lead to. From fascinating little restaurants that most never know exist (one had only two tables and four chairs) to groovy little rooftop bars. Some would initially appear not to have seen a customer in weeks! There is so much more to Kathmandu than what initially meets the eye. (A great idea for a book "Hidden Kathmandu").

We've had some nice evenings eating great food in several of the eateries around Thamal. Always a good dose of laughter.

We haven't heard from James in Pokhara, and hope that he turns up later today. Being our "mystery man" you just never know what to expect from him!!

We leave Nepal for Thailand tomorrow. Despite most of the backlog from the crash and airport closure last week now being cleared, we've been encouraged to get out to the airport early.

Great reading your comments.

Hi all. We are back in Kat. We got out of Lukla yesterday, but as always with a touch of stress..! We were booked on "3rd flight". The morning in Lukla was absolutely beautiful, but Kat was closed due fog. It was still closed at 9.45am. Any of you who know Lukla will agree that if you are 3rd flight, and the 1st flight has not yet left at 9.45, a quick estimation suggests you may not be flying until 1pm, long after Lukla normally closes down (due cloud and/or wind). It was with great delight when the announcement suddenly came over "Tara 3......Tara 3". To the sound of grumbles of those holding a ticket with "Tara 1", we boarded our plane and set off to Kat.

We landed in Kat to see the Turkish Airlines plane still sitting crashed by the side of the runway. With all international flights on hold, Kathmandu was filled with frustrated tourists unable to leave..! The impact on the airport being closed for 3 days has been huge..!

Our first stop? Pumpernickels Bakery of course. Ham & salad roll and a banana smoothy. How good...!! Then teturn our hired gear and put some laundry in. Dinner at the Everest Steak House capped off a good day back in the norm.

Given we have lost a post trek day (from the extra day spent on the trek due snow) only James has decided to go down to Pokhara. The remainder of us are going to relax around Kat before our departure on Wed. A few massages, some more site seeing and yes.....more Pumpernickles..!

Everyone in the team is boasting weight loss ranging from 4 to 7kg. Yippee..!

Hi everyone. We're at Lukla airport awaiting our plane back to Kathmandu. It's been a big 3 days. We have had no wifi due to weather. The snow has made the 3 day return from GS very difficult. The normal 8hr trek days have been closer to 10-11hrs. We were forced to follow a single narrow man made snow track through the snow for two of the days. If someone came the other way, we had to stand off to the side in sometimes waist deep snow..!! If a yak came the other way, well.......

And to make things worse, the heavy snow damaged chimneys, which resulted in no heater in our Namche lodge..!! Not good given we all had wet boots and socks..!!

Regardless, the team have trekked strongly despite their spirits being down from missing out on KP. They're a strong bunch. And the heavy snow has made the whole area look absolutely splendid. The mountains and valleys have never looked better.

We had our normal visit and dinner at Mingma's house last night on the way up to Lukla. His wife Neema put on a lovely dinner of monos washed down with a few raskis. Always a highlight.

We have heard about the Turkish Airlines incident at Kathmandu, so it will be interesting to see what it looks like when we arrive their later.

I have read all your responses from my last post a few days ago. (I'm still responding to them). I have to admit that your overwhelming support and encouragement almost brought a tear to my eye. (Ok, I admit I actually had a tear..!!). Thanks always.

Next update from Kat.

We are all shattered!!. We awoke at 6am this morning to a bitterly cold but beautiful Himalayan morning. We set out to commence our climb of Kalar Pattar around 6.45 but straight away knew we were in trouble with how deep the snow was on the climb. We set our porter Kunsar out to cut a track (the snow of the last few days had hidden all routes to the summit) but he was quickly well over his knees with each step!! (KP is hard enough in the dry let alone snow). After 1/2 hr of battling to find a way up, and with all of us struggling behind him, the turning point came when he sunk to his waist..!!! The simple fact is that Kalar Pattar is just not climbable at present, and won't be for at least 4 days, even with sunshine.!! The whole area is just carrying too much snow at the moment. (We saw a huge avalanche on a neighbouring slope this morning)

It's a bitter pill. The sun is beautiful as I write, with not a cloud in the sky. We can see the summit of Everest from Gorak Shep and it has not got a cloud on it. It's the snow that stranded us in Lobouche which has halted us on KP.

And this team, who worked so hard and prepared so well, and who deserved to stand on KPs summit are now all feeling down. Even their effort this morning to get 100mts above GS in deep deep snow was admirable. Several are shattered, with one or two thinking of returning to complete unfinished business.

We are now likely to pack our gear and start our 3 day hike back to Lukla. Will update at Namche tomorrow night.

Beaten by the weather...

Hi everyone. We have arrived at Gorak Shep....but only just!!! We have been "smashed" with weather. We left Dingboche on Sunday and immediately encountered heavy snow. Fortunately we had good protective gear and so stayed dry and warm while trekking (as opposed to many others who didn't). We arrived at Lobouche (4,900mts) around 2pm just in time for the snow to get heavier. It didn't let off during the night and ALL of the next day. Result? We were standard in Lobouche for the day.!!

We played 6hrs of Uno and several of us read a book in their sleeping bags in the common room. It was a long day. And there was zero internet connections at all to update anyone.

This morning we awoke to more overcast conditions and snow that was now waist deep!! We watched a few attempt to head up to Gorak Shep only to turn back a few hours later. After some long awaited sunny breaks, we had a meeting amongst us and decided to have a go. It was difficult trying to find the track, but we have now finally arrived at GS and are now planning Kalar Pattar in the morning. (Thanks for the favourable forecast Brian).

The team were shattered yesterday at the thought of abandoning KP and heading down. We watched several trekkers give it away due weather, but not this mob. I can't mention enough how tough and determined they have been. So impressed, and I'm hoping their efforts are rewarded in the morning.

I've noted several responses from my previous post and will try to answer some of them shortly. Love your support.

Hi all. Brief update. Lack of internet access is preventing more detailed updates and when I can, I can't upload photos!! Hopefully will find better connections soon.

We are battling weather at the moment. Clouds, cold and heavy snow. More forecast tomorrow. Hopefully it will settle after that, and particularly for Tuesday when we are due at Kalar Pattar and Everest.

The team are well and trekking strong.

No wifi for 2 days, so sorry no updates.

Have arrived into Dingboche. All ok except Brendan who has struggled with a frustrating tummy bug. Has really knocked him around, but now improving.

Heavy snow on our climb to Tengboche yesterday. All glad to get to our destination and dry off and warm up.

Today's scenery just beautiful with fresh snow. All climbed well, but tough now over 4000mts.

Two nights here and an acclimatisation climb and back tomorrow before pushing on to Lobouche 4,900mts the day after.

Sorry no photo, but wifi just terrible.

For the first time since yesterday morning, I've come across sufficient Internet to post an update.

Our flight into Lukla yesterday was not without stress. We awoke at 4.30am to get out to the airport for our "first flight" to Lukla. On check-in however, we were told that we had been bumped to second flight hrs later... Not happy. We got in ok on the second flight and had an enjoyable trek to our first nights destination, TokTok @ 2,650mts

We have all arrived safely this afternoon into Namche at 3,500mts. The climb today was as hard as it's always been, although this group was able to knock it off in a very good time. Unfortunately, our planned view of Everest half way up didn't eventuate due to cloud.

Everyone is trekking so strongly and most of the time we have been able to trek as a group and enjoy the scenery (and some good laughs) together.

We are all overwhelmed with how much James eats..!! Two courses each meal. He's also known to have an afternoon nap.

Paulene, we have been fortunate to have Des grumpy free thus far, but today I kind of stuffed it a little. I ordered him a milk tea, when he asked for lemon tea..!!! Wasn't pretty, but we were able to calm him an hour or two later..!

Not a lot of snow or ice thus far, and temperatures have been mild. Last night at TokTok, most reported unzipping and climbing out of their sleeping bags during the night.

Up to Everest View Hotel tomorrow and then back down to Namche tomorrow night for acclimatisation before going higher the next day.

Reading your comments to the group, thanks.