Everest Marathon 2007
Through the Storm to a Perfect Race Day
Kath Turner / 06.12.2007
It snowed at Lobuche where we had 2 acclimatisation days. Two days with nothing to do, in a place where there is nothing to do. (Lobuche is a small group of huts tucked in amongst boulders at the side of the glacier and is notoriously cold!) This had to be the low point of the entire trek for me.
On the second night we had gale force winds and even the 'brown dog' that had followed us from Debouche was sleeping in the tents. The next morning the weather was so bad that a meeting was called between the trek leaders and the doctors to discuss whether we carried on to Gorak Shep, or started the race at Lobuche.
The vote was in favour of continuing to Gorak Shep so after the nerve wracking medicals (which we had to pass to be allowed to continue) and some final kit checks we set off the last 3 miles to the race start. I cannot describe just how bad the weather conditions were - we were heading directly into a north wind, with gale force gusts driving dust storms at us. There wasn't a single part of our bodies that wasn't covered in grit.
It was also decided that we would all stay in lodges that night rather than camp in the bad conditions, a decision that resulted in mixed reactions, particularly as the lodge owner decided to capitalise on this passing trade and inflate his prices from 300 rupees per room to 1500 rupees per room!
The next morning, following breakfast at 5am, we all spilled out onto the frozen wasteland of Gorak Shep, including 'brown dog'. Thankfully the conditions were now perfect - sunny, clear, and with no wind. After an impromptu haka from our New Zealand friends, and a roll call, we were off! (The non-Nepalis wearing several layers of clothing and the Nepali runners in T-shirts, despite the temperature hovering around –20C.)
With thoughts of hot showers, proper beds & toilets, and no tent zips throughout the night - and our own personal agonies and ecstasies we completed the 26.2 miles (allegedly downhill) to Namche. The views on the way back down being the whole western face of Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam. Most of the scenes were Christmas card like and stunning due to the snow that extended right the way down the valley.
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