Well that was a bummer. The Indonesia Police department has decided to close the mountain again for two months starting November 1st. So that expedition is shot. I'm also bailing out of Kosciusko in Australia. Too far from Kathmandu, too expensive for just a little hill hike. I'll combine it with Carstensz Pyramid next year or whenever I get to return to that part of the world.
At least now I can focus on Ama Dablam fully and book my return ticket from Kathmandu to Seattle mid November. I was kind of anxious of leaving for KTM without an idea of where. was going next or no flight planned. That is solved.
Today I'm doing a quick final, nth time gear check... Taking off some stuff I was carrying with me specifically for Carstensz Pyramid. That might save me a pound or two :)
I'm flying out tomorrow. So far report from folks on the Everest Base Camp trek is that weather is good. Lots of sunny days. Let's hope it stays that way...
I look forward to being in Kathmandu again and walking in the street of Thamel again. I love the atmosphere, the colors, the smell, the noises of this touristy area of Kathmandu. I can't wait to be there again and meet the team and our guide.
We are currently due to be flying on to Luklha this small village on the hillside where all trek toward Everest or Ama Dablam start from on Tuesday of next week.
Then 5 days trek to Ama Dablam base camp. Then starts the rest and rotations cycles. Go up the mountain a little bit, come down to base camp and rest, go back up a little more the following time (up to camp 2) then come down and rest at base camp. And then if weather allows go up all the way to the summit on a 4 days long summit push.
That is the route. That is the plan. Let's see how it pans out...
I'll keep you posted.
Remember Dispatches are available here: https://madisonmountaineering.com/cat-dispatches/amadablam/ama-dablam-2024/
And my GPS route will be there: https://share.garmin.com/tdhers
Climb on
Thierry
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