Bon Voyage

I realize that I could not have done this journey without the support from my family and friends. It was my 89 year old father who convinced me that I should do it.From there I had so many people helping me and I am so very thankful for all your support.

I want to share some comments that have been given to me in my final preapration this week.

" Slow down and smell the roses, let the Sherpas do the work. It will be the trip of a lifetime."

"We should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character. "

" Dwell in Possibility "

The picture of the Angel is the one my new colleagues at work gave me to take up the mountain to keep me safe.

More importantly I have learnt some very important Nepalese words before I head off. Toomba means a Millet Beer and Chyang means a rice beer. The beer is the only alcohol you should be drinking in Kathmandu. I have done my research!!

It's suppoosed to be sunny and 32C when we arrive Saturday.

Namaste!

But my Mother told me Cotton was the Best!!

OK so I have spent my whole life thinking that cotton underwear is better. Yes Sandy, it breathes and you neeed to buy 100% cotton.

I guess my Mom never had to trek to base camp. Apparently synthetic is better. To the tune of $24.00 per pair , thank-you very much Tilley!! Synthetic dries faster and keeps the dampness away. I'm all for keeping the dampness away!!

I need to take synthetic underwear on this Trek!! Does that include my synthetic bathing suit bottoms??......

Well I need to finish with some words of wisdom from a fellow trekker:


Let whatever happens on the mountain. Be Okay!!

Socks!!

I completely forgot that I started knitting socks about 10 months ago for the Trek. They are pure wool and I still have to finish one pair! Will it be calming or stressing to finish the last pair in 2 days! I'm almost done the second pair. I think it will take my mind off all the second guessing about the packing: what I may and may not need and the big weight restriction on what we can take!

The Calm is not so Calm before the Storm

Please don't tell me to be safe!!So many friends and family are concerned about my safety that I'm getting myself spooked and talking myself out of boarding the plane this Friday!! The reality has sunk in that I am actually flying half way around the world and climbing up the biggest mountain in the world and it's all happening in 4 , yes 4 days.

I'm working in a hospital setting and trying hard not to breathe during the day at work. I figure if I breathe at work, I may breathe in germs and I don't want to get sick right now! That's the power of Yoga, I can almost do this type of not breathing!:-)

The big dilema is the weight. I can only take 33 pounds in total on the Trek. I've peared it down but how do you make the decision what to leave behind. I may face -15 degrees C and would be unhappy freezing cold on a mountain half way around the world.

One of my trekking friend's told me today that it will be 27 C in Kathmandu when we arrive and 21 C with a low of 4 C at Namche Bazaar, our first stop on the Trek. This is the trading post for the Sherpas and sits at 11,300 feet.

I'm glad I've started a new job. It's distracting me and hopefully helping me to keep the calm and keeping the fire at bay before I leave. Oh and the Yoga has peeled away many layers!

Taking a Break

I have been training for this big adventure through the Bruce Trails.
http://brucetrail.org/

They are beautiful well maintained trails throughout Ontario. The hilly terrain has provided a great training base for me as I prepare for 4-5 hours of daily trekking on my adventure. Luckily we have peaked with training and are now slowing down with less than 2 weeks to go!!

We saw some special friends along our adventures in the Bruce Trail.

Blame it on the DU DU DU DU DU DUkoral

OK so it's a play on the Usher song Blame it on the Alcohol. This will surely cause the eyes to roll on my teenage aquaintances ( and daughters! ) and put a perplexed face on my family and friends that don't follow current pop/rock music.

I have not been well since taking the oral vaccine....is it cause and effect....too hard to scientifically to determine but as a mother who follows her instincts my gut says yes. I have had minor flu like symptoms with low grade temperature and mild cough. It's getting better.

Does this mean that I shouldn't be exposing my body to the potential toxins in vaccines or does it mean that I'm lucky I had a mild reaction as it may prevent an outbreak of Cholera in my body if I am exposed in India?????......

To Duk or not to Duk: Dukoral

I just took my first dose of Dukoral. I almost didn't get it down. How am I going to climb to base camp if I can't stomach an oral vaccine.The pharmacist said it would be like drinking Eno. Well, no it's not. You can't eat one hour before or after the vaccine which is really not great because of the bicarb reaction in your stomach it's a long one hour.

I'm taking it to prevent Traveller's Diarrhea and Cholera. I'll let you now how effective it will be for me. Here is what Health Canada says about it... The bottom line is about 50% efficacy.

There is some controversy about this oral vaccine but I have taken it.

Of course it is not covered by OHIP or drug plans. :{

I take the second dose next week as you must have both doses finished at least one week prior to departure.

The good news is that the protection lasts about 6 months....in case I decide for any other adventures real soon!!!!

Countdown to the Big Trek

I have decided to resurrect this Blog to chronicle my fundraising and training to reach Base Camp.
I will not be blogging on the Trek but I will blog from my journals when I return.
The fund raising was challenging but the training is even harder.

I set a goal this time last year to raise $10,500 for The Arthritis Society and to train to climb the biggest mountain in the world. Even though I'm only climbing to Base Camp it will still be a staggering 18-19,000 feet high.

I am living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was very scary for me to set this goal as I had many doubts about the fund raising and about my health. It's hard to reach out and challenge yourself. We are all so full of self doubt and fear failure so easily. When we remember that we are not alone, many possibilities open to us. I could not have raised all this money and trained on my own. There are so many that have helped me.

Right now Lesley and Laura are helping me with the training. There is NO WAY I would have trekked for 4 hours and 40 minutes on my own yesterday at Waterdown.
My joints don't like the training right but I have to push through or I won't be prepared for the climbing or the altitude.
24 more sleeps til I head to Nepal.