Hello everyone! The team arrived in Namche Bazaar yesterday afternoon after a 3,000 foot gain in elevation. Namche Bazaar is the central village in the Khumbu where all of the surrounding villages bring their goods to sell and trade. The village is situated at around 11,500 feet and is shaped like a horseshoe. Every weekend the Bazaar is filled with vendors. During the week the Bazaar is home to many local vendors selling everything from groceries to art to climbing gear.

Today the team took a rest day in Namche to allow us to acclimatize better. Our local Sherpa guide Ong Chuk took us to see the Sagamartha national park museum and the Sherpa museum. The team continued to stretch the legs by walking around town and getting to know some of the local shop owners and buying some gifts.

As I write this we are being served our lunch at the Moon Light Lodge. After lunch we are heading back into town for happy hour at the Irish pub. Everyone is feeling good and we are all excited to move to our next village of Deboche. We will visit the Tengboche monastery in a couple of days to get a blessing before we proceed to Everest Base Camp and climb Island Peak. To all of you following our trip……think sunshine. We need it! Love you all and we will post again soon.

-Joe Butler