Makalu Base Camp 9th April 2022

Makalu Base Camp 

Departs UK 9th April 

Leader: Carrie Gibson 

28th April

Welcome back to Kathmandu!

The team arrived back after their flight from Tumlingtar today, and are ready to celebrate team member Paul’s birthday at Fire and Ice restaurant tonight. Happy Birthday Paul!

26th April

Today the team arrived at Pikauwa after another long day’s trekking. The terrain has been mostly through jungle with lots of ups and downs over the hills and down to streams.

The trail weaves its way through the beautiful Makalu Barun Conservation Area. Carrie says it looks like they are the first group to have walked it for a few years (thanks to the pandemic) so it is very unspoilt and wild.

It’s been hot in the mornings then building up to thunder and lightning in the afternoons. They have been treated to amazing food from their team, with lunch stops in the middle of paddy fields with carrots carved into roses and crowns.

Surrounded by stunning scenery, there is lush greenery alongside waterfalls, quite different to the dry rocky landscape of the Everest region.

25th April

The group have retraced their steps back to Seduwa then continued on through the jungle over exciting bridges past lots of small farmsteads. Just a couple of days trekking to go until they are back in Nepal’s capital, so they are soaking up the views and the wilderness here.

24th April

Carrie reported the team have been making their return descent over the weekend to the lush green village of Tashi Gaon. The air is now much thicker, the sun is shining and most of all the shower tent is up and well occupied! The group is buzzing! In a matter of three days they will be back in Kathmandu.

22nd April

Today we received a call from Carrie. They’ve been spending the day at Base Camp getting organised to summit Neha Kharka tomorrow. It’s been a busy day of organising the equipment and skills training. There was of course time for a Puja ceremony.

The weather is keeping them on their toes with an impressive thunder and lightning storm last night followed by snow all day. Hopefully we’ll have some pictures to show all this fresh snow.

19th April

The team have made it to Base camp today with the customary snowstorm that has welcomed the group each day! That said it has been a beautiful walk, so hard to describe in words. Great views of Baruntse and Chamlang. The forecast continues to show snow flurries followed by a block of clear blue skies for the return journey.

15th April

A short message from Carrie to say they have been upto 3888m on thier rest and acclimatisation day. The previous days had seen specatacular scenery despite it being very wet, but with a better forecast ahead they should see some sunshine and gorgeous blue skies.

13th April

The trek is all going well and it appears they are the only group trekking this route which makes it more special! It’s raining but a welcome relief from the heat experienced yesterday.

12th April

Today has been a very warm day’s trekking! The group started in Num where they had a fantastic view over the valley to Sedua, and their walk today has taken them down one side of the valley and back up the other, stopping en route for a good buffet lunch. The landscape is very different to the Khumbu region of Nepal, it is very green with tropical forests, lots of bamboo and stunning hill top villages. They are now at their camp for the night in Sedua (1460m).

11th April

Today we fly to Tumlingtar, from there we will take the bus to Num where we will stay the night in a tea house and make our final preparations for the trek.

Carrie called this afternoon – They have arrived safely in Num at their camp with brand new tents and camp setup, after a pretty adventurous 5 hour Jeep drive from Tumlingtar. They are enjoying their first meal at camp and everyone is in good spirits.

10th April

Carrie has sent through some photos of the team in Kathmandu at their Welcome Dinner, complete with traditional Nepali dancing.

On the 9th of April the team will depart the UK.  Follow us each day from the 12th of April on our Tracker here.