Everest trek day one

BRIGANTES EVEREST EXPEDITION DAY 1 

Hi, I’m the communications officer for the expedition and I’ll be keeping you updated on our progress. 

The great news is that today the weather was good and clear and we’re off – a wonderful feeling! We arrived at Lukla yesterday – the flight and landing wasn’t nearly as scary as some people say – and spent the rest of the day sorting and packing the heavy equipment and supplies. Then this morning we met the Yak and donkey team, loaded the gear and set off! 

Stranger way to start an ascent of the highest mountain, though – the first day’s 6 miles is actually downhill by some 800 feet! 

A nice, gentle start on a paved roadway past plenty of prayer wheels, stupas and tea houses. The highlights were a couple of narrow and bouncy suspension bridges, and the lush but steep-sided valley of the Dudh Khosi, or Milk River, named for its chalky colour that comes from the glaciers high up in the mountains. In less than three hours we all arrived safe and well at Phakding where we pitched camp.  

Luke N Brightside

And, for my sins I’m the head porter. To be honest I don’t hold out much hope. Never have I seen an older, more unfit bunch of mountaineers. I reckon half of them would struggle to climb the stairs to bed! If this expedition succeeds I’ll eat my Rimjhim (hat).

Sherpa Dowting