The Everest Marathon
The next instalment
Candice Leah / 21.11.2005
We have trekked all the way up to Gokyo Ri (5483m) and back down, passing through and camping at tiny, picturesque villages with yet more spectacular views. Some people even saw the sun set on Everest from the top of Gokyo Ri.
We are now heading up again along the race route towards Gorak Shep where the race will start in 4 days time.
There is much talk at the moment about race day and people's views of what they want from the race certainly seem to have changed since Namche. The reality and difficulty of this marathon has now dawned on the majority. Everyone wants to finish! Simply FINISH. One group leader who has run the race 10 times described it as "like nothing else in the world".
The general routine of the day is wake up at 0700 with bed tea, a good breakfast, then on to the trail. Trek for a few hours over hilly, dusty and rocky terrain with the most fabulous views. Lunch is usually a hot picnic cooked and served by our Sherpas. Then it's back on the trail and walking until we reach camp. Dinner is served about 1800 and then we often spend an hour chatting and writing diaries in a lodge where they burn yak poo to keep us warm. Everyone is usually in bed by 2100.
We have some great laughs every day, guaranteed when the dunce hat is being awarded. So far we have had awards for people forgetting small items, such as socks, having to return downhill to retrieve them. Funny how small things become so important out here. People say daft things and do exactly what they were advised not to do.
We have a song for every day, usually something like M Peoples "Moving on up" and Freddy M's "Don't stop me now, I'm having such a good time"....
Everyone sends their best wishes and love to those at home. Now it's simply trying to stay fit and reach the start!
SleepMonsters
