: extreme measures :

It rained – no, thunderstormed really – most of the night, so we awoke expecting to don our gaiters for the trek to Namche. But, the ground soaked in the rain and the trail was pretty dry. And it looked to be a beautiful day ahead of us.

Mingma had taken us on an alternative route, another highly scenic route through the town of Khumjung (although, by now you may have realized that there is never a bad view in the Himalayas!). We picked up rocks along the way and stopped for lunch at a newer teahouse, where we met a little girl named Salina, who came from Switzerland with her family, and before heading to Africa, her father was on Everest attempting a summit. She was probably six or so, and was very concerned for her father’s well-being. She said he must be very cold there. We told her not to worry, that the time for climbing was almost finished and her father should be home soon.

We passed one of the highest airports at 12,700 feet, and then walked from above Namche through an area that looked like a golf course, but was just naturally manicured.

The disappointment of not making it to Everest Base Camp had been weighing on our minds for two days. It seemed unfair that we could not go back – Wally was feeling 100% again, but we just didn’t have the time to go back up again, especially with no guarantee that either one of us wouldn’t get sick once again.

We had done all the work to get there – over 15,000 feet up, and we were only 2,500 feet from Base Camp, two days and no more than four hours of trekking. What had laid before us were the easiest days of the trek, the only real difficulty being the altitude. So, I suggested to Wally, how about the helicopter? What if it could take us to Base Camp for a half hour or so, and back to Namche? (And yes, I actually suggested a helicopter – aren’t I the adventurous one?)

We presented this crazy idea to Mingma, who made some phone calls (on his cell, at 13,000 feet by the way) and we were able to procure a ride on a rescue helicopter that had someone to pick up at the high altitude hospital in Periche. It would fetch us first thing in the morning from Namche. Not without a price, mind you, but with some negotiations, we felt this would be worth it. We are hoping we can sleep tonight!

Oh, and as a side note, today Wally and I had a hot shower AND I finally washed my hair after nine days! Yikes! But really, we didn't smell all that bad. Seriously.