After 15 hours flying in the past 48 hours we touched down back in Queenstown to the joys of a special welcome home from family and loved ones. What an unforgettable journey it has been.
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| EBC 2013, Worldly young adults home again (Pauline and me included) - Back row L to R: Leroy, Hugh. Jonny, Dave, Will, Pauline, Mason. Front row: Doug, Liam, Elsa, Bryn. |
It is revealing to compare the fresh faced leaving photos with the worldly, self assured individuals in the photo above.
Peter Hillary commented at our shared Khumbu Lodge dinner that the students should continue to reflect and think about their experiences, dwell on them and learn from them. It is clear to me that they have been doing this consistently and one of the true highlights has been to see the personal growth in every one of our team. Sharing 23 days of adventure and memorable experiences in a remarkable part of our world has awakened new understandings in each one of us. I think that the full magnitude of what we have achieved will fully dawn on each of us at different times.
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| Peter Hillary, Khumbu Lodge Namche Bazaar - reading his Dad's account of the first ascent of Mt Everest with Tenzing (60 years ago) in a letter he sent to the President of the NZ Alpine Club 3 days after the climb. Captivating! |
We have all found Nepal and the Himalaya visually stunning, diverse, demanding and stimulating. It has been extremely satisfying to achieve the expedition goals such as Phortse, Gokyo Ri, Cho La, EBC, Kala Pather but perhaps the most memorable highlight will be our time spent with the people of Nepal and enjoying their company, culture, generosity and kindness: Chhuldim owner Mountain Experience; our sherpa - Sirdar Pemba, Surya and Jethar; our porters, Akas, Pasang, Aspal and Gyalbu; Devendra his staff, children and the families of Phorste School; and the many lodge and hotel staff, shop keepers and taxi drivers.
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| Our Sherpa and Porter Team from Mountain Experience L to R: Gyalbu, Jethar, Pemba, Akas, Pasang, Surya, Aspal |
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| Chhuldim Sherpa - Owner of Mountain Experience presenting Kim with kata outside the Hotel Tibet on our departure. |
I think we have all learnt the powerful impact that genuine and open respect has on people in their country - being polite and courteous, learning a little of the language and important customs, coupled with a smile.
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| Pauline reading Fox in Socks, one of the books we donated, to the children of Phortse Primary School |
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| Principal of Phorste - Devendra with some of his pupils |
This past 12 months has been about "Shaping Life Through Adventure" - our expedition motto. I believe this journey has done just that as well as teaching us a little more about what it really means to "Deserve Success". Thank you again to the team of families, sponsors and supporters, especially Kim Logan and Pauline Murphy, and each of the students - it has been pleasure to be part of something so special and a privilege to be able to share our experiences through this blog.
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| The EBC 2013 team having just crossed Cho La Pass 5364m - Arakam Tse 6423m in the background |
I am sure that Cromwell College EBC 2013 will stimulate many other adventures for the each of the members of our team. Whaia te taumata - Tashi Dele - Namaste.
Mason Stretch
Principal
Cromwell College
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| A selfy (alias 'Le Blogger') - Pharilapche 6017m from Gokyo Ri |
We are glad to know that you have been to Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal Himalayas and Congratulation doing trekking up to base camp of Mt Everest.
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