Today, we arrived in Pheriche (14,000′), after moving the previous day from Namche to the Rivendell Lodge in Deboche (just down the hill from the very well known Tengboche Monastery). We stopped in Pangboche this morning for the traditional blessing for safe passage/climbing from Lama Geshe, where he kindly blessed our forthcoming marriage as well. Above is a picture of Carla and me on a bridge crossing the Dudh Kosi on the way to Pangboche with Ama Dablam in the background.
The team is doing great. Everyone is healthy (knock wood), except for young Matt, who is fighting a low-grade stomach virus, but he is doing great regardless (as always – he truly has an indomitable spirit – although your efforts to convert me into a “new country” music fan are absolutely futile, young man). Tomorrow will be a rest day in Pheriche to allow our bodies to acclimatize before heading to Lobuche (~15,500′), which will be our last stop before arriving Everest base camp and getting down to business!
Path to Everest 
Congratulations on your engagement!! We are so excited for you guys! Good luck on your journey to Everest! Third time will be a charm!
Thanks, Ann. Third time’s off to a great start and is shaping up to be a great expedition regardless.
Jim and Carla, Blessings from Kiawah as well. Such a wonderful journey in so many way. We wish you godspeed. and are with you all the way. The third time has already proved to e the charm. It will just keep getting better and better!
“Laissez les bon temps rouer!”
Warmest wishes,
Shauneen Hutchinson
Friend of Ellen and Tom.
Thank you, Shauneen. We appreciate the blessings and well wishes, and you are absolutely correct about the 3rd time! Let the good times roll, indeed.
Wow! What a journey, thanks for sharing it with us. I hope to meet Carla at a Buffs game this Fall. Safe journeys!
Thanks, Michael. That would be fun… we still have a football team?!?
Jim, are you and Carla ok? I’m reading about the earthquake and pray your safe.
Thank you for your prayers, Chris. We pulled through relatively unscathed. Hope to catch-up back in Denver at some point.
Jim and Carla are safe in Nepal. They had not reached base camp when the earthquake and avalanche occurred. They are near the area and heading up tomorrow to help out however they can. Thank you to everyone for your concerns, prayers, and well wishes.
Jim,
Just read the news. Saying a prayer that you and Carla are okay. If anyone has any news, please post here. Thanks, John and Molly Quinn
John, thank you for your prayers!