Happy Halloween from Namche Bazaar

We made it to Everest Base Camp at 1:18 PM on 10/28. It was so neat! There were two expedition teams there - the Americans which had summitted successfully on 10/18 and still had their tents and gear there, and the Koreans which were not successful. The Korean team was still there so some people chatted with them a bit. We took photos next to the American flag and Tibetan flags marking EBC and also of Khumbu Icefall. Wow - scary. On the way up we actually saw a sherpa carrying about 6 ladders which they use to get across the glacier. We also saw the Russian helicopter that crashed a few months ago sadly killing 24 people. It was right next to EBC it's sad it wasn't able to land.

Yesterday we had a long trek - from Dingboche to here - 9 hours and 2 days worth. On one of the steep downhills, Jeff holding on to a tree while peeing got knocked by a yak which tweaked his knee a little. So we decided to take it easy and split up the return trip.

Yesterday we bought airline tickets back to Kathmandu for 11/2 for some airline (TBD) and for some time (TBD) and for that matter it might not even be the 2nd. We have to reserve our seats the day before. It's odd -they take the money say they'll make some calls and then we'll figure it out when we get to Lukla.

We've taken lots of photos and have a lot of stories to relay, but will save that for the cheaper internet places in KTM. Patrick - feel free to share this blog site with the rest of people from work as long as it doesn't remind them too much that I'm gone. Ha! :-) Thanks also for the comments and thanks to Jeff and Shelley for taking such good care of the cats. Liz's parents emailed that they were doing well - thanks again! Koleen - our email should still be working. Everyone else - our yahoo email is trekking_barris@yahoo.com - we love to get messages and hear what's going on. And by the way - how are the Tigers doing in the World Series? Also, Scott - Jeff brought your trekking book you loaned me accidentally so we have it and will give you a Borders gift card when we return the book. Everyone else who loaned us books - they are safely at home.

Happy Halloween everyone. Our Halloween costumes are smelly trekkers! Two days until shower time. Happy trails - Love Liz and Jeff