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Sat 28th Jan. Some of the team head down...

28/1/2017

16 Comments

 
Sorry for no update but we haven't had Wifi for a day and a half and only have it now for an hour while we stop for lunch. Should have wifi later today at tonight's stop.

So we started as 10 and we are now 5. A phone call from Annapurna Base Camp to Jason's insurance ($38 USD) and a helicopter was organised to fly him and Danielle back down to Pokhara the next morning. The helicopter has 4 spare seats and Greg and Anne have chosen to fly back to Pokhara with them. Unfortunately when we woke up this morning the snow was falling.....and rather heavy. No choppers would be flying in this. So our guide and two porters decided it would be better if they stay at Base Camp with Jason, Danielle, Greg and Anne, while Michelle, Sue R, Evan, Elaine and myself along with 3 porters started our way back down.

Crampons were needed again along with gaiters and warm gear. It wasn't bad at all walking in this condition as the snow was quite dry. After a few hours of snow it turned into light rain but again nothing bad. We were all comfortable walking and managed to keep warm. We had no view at all of the mountains and commented how lucky we were that our final ascent up to Base Camp the day before with beautiful blue sky was such a contrast 24 hours later.

Evan and Elaine had purchased woollen hats back in Kathmandu with Annapurna Base Camp sewn into them. They had been wearing these hats back-to-front in the days leading up to Base Camp. They can now proudly wear there hats the right way around.

As we were walking we heard a helicopter in the distance. We stopped to find it and couldn't believe that it would be flying in these conditions it came into sight just as it was preparing to do a 180 degree turnaround and head back down. Obviously too much fog and cloud to fly. Half an hour later we reached the village of Himalaya and here we saw the helicopter had landed. We spoke to the pilot and he told us he was on his way to Base Camp to pick up an injured trekker (Jason) but had to turn around due to weather. We introduced ourselves as being the group Jason belongs to and he said he will now stay at Himalaya and see what it's like in the morning.

We arrived at our lodge in a village called Bamboo. We had all managed to stay dry. Two hours later the dining room door opens and in walks our guide Prakash and the 2 porters. They decided there was no need to wait at Base Camp as Jason and his family were happy to wait out the bad weather. So what took us 7 hours including a lunch stop took our guide and porters a little over 3 hours!!! Ok, they do it all the time.

A phone call up to the lodge at Base Camp to make sure they were all ok and Greg said it had been like a blizzard up there all day. I told them the rescue helicopter is waiting out the bad weather and when they wake in the morning if there is blue sky it should be there around 7.30am.

So we are currently sitting in our lodge and the light rain has turned to heavy snow. Anything can happen up here as with yesterday's blue sky.

I forgot to mention we all sang Advance Australia Fair on Australia Day......with a few deep breathes in between the sentences. Last night we had a bit of fun around the dining room table in the lodge and held an auction. What were we auctioning you ask??? Jocks. Brand spanking, never been warn before still with tags jocks. Gave me an indication who was getting desperate. All proceeds to go to the porters. Bidding started and strangely Danielle bought them. Realising they would be too small for Jason she donated them to Sanchez, the Porter who took John Gerring back down and turned around and came back up under headlamp. The women's undies were purchased by Sue R. Not that she's getting desperate but thought it would be nice to have something clean for Pokhara. A bit of fun amongst headaches at 4130 Metres.

Tomorrow we continue on to Chhomrong. Here we will descend 3000 steps, cross a swing bridge then climb 3000 steps.....cruel. It's also here were we will pick up John Gerring who has hopefully been able to rest and shake off his chest infection. (We are told John is good and drinking a bottle of Kukari Rum a night which has helped with his chest).

We will then drop down the Chinu (Hot Springs).
Picture
The team at ABC
16 Comments
David G
28/1/2017 07:05:29 pm

Well that's a super photo guys. Well done to all of you again. Can't help but be so impressed with the sight of Jason and Sue R being amongst you.
Shame the trek couldn't finish as a "team".!! Not easy to comprehend the thought of not completing this incredible experience by opting to go out on a helicopter and not fulfilling the total effort..!! Anyway, hope they get some good weather tomorrow for their pickup. Anne. Check the "latest news" page re those books you took over. A very nice thank you posted.
Great to hear John is on the improve. Can't wait to get all the details and catch up with you. Take it easy and enjoy the springs.

Reply
Sue
28/1/2017 10:40:04 pm

Never a dull moment in the Himalaya hey!!

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Bill
28/1/2017 07:18:38 pm

Sue, what brilliant update. Just a shame you needed to go into a great level of detail to cover all the commings & goings!

Reply
Sue
28/1/2017 10:38:02 pm

Hey Bill Brown. Heard a rumour Chhomrong has sold out of Khukri rum. Some poor little bastard is carrying up a few cases as we speak.

Reply
John Gerring
28/1/2017 10:39:30 pm

Thanks for the good wishes John. I'm on the improve. I did sent you a return text, not sure if you received it.

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Wine link
29/1/2017 07:05:34 am

Good to hear from you John. A bottle of rum a day! That would be enough to cure anything. Hope the rest of the descent goes well and you enjoy the hot springs. I remember the photo of Bill sitting in the springs from previous expedition. It was not a pretty sight.

Sue
29/1/2017 11:57:29 am

Wine, John opted out of the hot springs, although the water was hot, the outside temp was still cool. He decided to stay at the lodge drinking rum instead.

James, Brad, Liam.
28/1/2017 08:38:29 pm

Great update Sue, we have been waiting to see how it's going, glad that you have encounter some cold weather at last.
We are excited to know that Treknepalwithme now offers FIFO, so we can now experience Nepal as well on the chopper.
Love
James, Brad and Liam.
❤❤❤

Reply
Sue
28/1/2017 10:36:33 pm

Jimbo, you will never ever get a visa in your passport for Nepal.....never

Reply
Van Man (AKA tent boy)
28/1/2017 09:12:46 pm

Wow, never a dull moment with the Himalayan weather!! Forecast for tomorrow looks good for chopper.
Stay safe & warm on the way down.

Reply
Sue
28/1/2017 10:42:42 pm

They got out of Base Camp today veals, beautiful blue sky today.

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Spanner
28/1/2017 09:27:31 pm

Sue the weather sounds a little like melbourne. Enjoy you trip down, but I think you said there are some more ups, glad it's you and not me., you have all achieved a great adventure and will have lots to talk about, cheers sue regards mum and sally

Reply
Sue
28/1/2017 10:43:46 pm

No flats in the Himalayas span.

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John gaul
28/1/2017 10:09:17 pm

Well done guys. That's a great effort. Am so looking forward to our trek now. You have got us all in dubai very excited.

Reply
Sue
28/1/2017 10:44:31 pm

Your turn soon John.

Reply
Liz
29/1/2017 11:11:25 am

Awesome and well done! Look forward to hearing about your adventures when you get back. Liz

Reply



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    Picture
    Sue
    2017 ABC blog...​

    ​Hi all.

    Welcome to the 2017 ABC trip blog.

    Sue will update and post the progress of the team from their departure out of Melbourne to their slog up to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,300m amsl and then their safe descent and recovery back down.

    Feel free to access this blog and drop them a comment during their trip. Depending on the availability of WIFI on the way up, the team will be rapt to hear from you. 

    Cheers.

    Sue & David
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    Read or Download ABC2017 blog on PDF
    abc2017_blog.pdf
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