Time to pack

The days are ticking away very quickly. Yesterday I received an email from one of our group members who is already in Kathmandu. She has already begun to explore!! Oh I wish I was there already. It is very hard to keep focused on the task at hand when I know my new adventure is looming up very quickly. On Sunday I pulled out all the bits and pieces that I have been accumulating over the past 12 months for my trip to Nepal. It was always that event in the distant future that was making my purchase for. Now I am actually going to be using them within two weeks. The challenge is now consider the 4 page list of items to take (supplied by World Expeditions) and compact them into the 15kg luggage allowance that we have for the trek.

Three weeks to Go!!

Hard to believe, this time in three weeks I will be heading to Nepal!!! I am heading down to Canberra this weekend to catch up with family, chase up a few more donations for the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF)and maybe a little cold weather acclimatisation for Nepal.

This week I received an email from the AHF advising that our donations were trickling in (thank you everyone!!). Our group even made the latest version of the AHF's newsletter Yakety Yak. AHF also advised that they have considered our request and changed the online donation amounts to include $25 and $50 as it was pointed out by one of our group members that it was a bit much to expect people to donate $100. Good move on the part of AHF.

If you are still considering making a donation this can be done on line..... or by printing off pdf donation form attached to the web page. Please if you do this can you advise that the donation is for "Climbing to Support Himalayan Education" code no (ECO8DH). Every little bit helps.

My preparation this week has been quiet, though I have managed to walk every morning before work and have made a couple of lunch time laps of Darling Harbour.

It Must Be Spring!

Another week has flown by. It has been very wet this week, so it has put a bit of a dampner on my walking before work and at lunch time. I managed a to head out for a good tramp around the neighbourhood this afternoon, only to be dive bombed by magpies. Persistent little devils chased me for a full block!!!

This weeks preparation has been quiet, a few more donations have come in for my fundraising. Thank you all. I have spent my travel time on train reading up on Nepal and have just finished reading Kiran Desai's book The Inheritance of Loss, a story about an interesting group of people set in the Himalaya's in time of civil unrest. A good read.

This afternoon I spent a little time at our local healthfood store researching the available biodegradable soaps, shampoos and washing liquids to take on the trek. I was surprised at the choices. After some advice from the lady at the counter I selected a shampoo, conditioner and general purpose washing liquid. World Expeditions are committed to responsible travel and sustainability and emphasis the importance of the conservation of the environment while we are on our trek.

Buzz of excitement

This week has seen a growing buzz amongst our group, with emails flying to and fro with lists of gear we need to have, reports on fund raising efforts, reminders on making sure we have visas and our vaccinations up to date, have you arranged your travel insurance, how much warm gear do we need etc. In fact I would say that the buzz has a definitely lifted to a loud hum. Some members are running in fun runs, other running raffles, one group member is even pushing her Mum in a wheelchair in a fun run!! Now that is commitment.

This week I have been able to tick off getting my visa and a visit to Dr's for the inevitable jab in the arm and script for antibiotics and anti Nepal belly tablets. (one needs to be prepared). Earlier this invested in a new pair of u beaut!! super dooper gloves!! I have been advised that it is important to keep all extremities warm.

I acquired my latest investment today.At lunch time I wandered down to Paddy's market and purchased pocket knife come multi tool device thingy!!!! which has everything from a bottle opener, pliers, pocket knife, screwdriver etc to a small light. Now I just have to work out how to use it.

Well tomorrow I am off on another pre-trek adventure. A friend and I are getting up at sparrow's ....... to catch a train to Otford where we are joining a National Parks trekking group and walking to Waterfall (25-27 kms depending on which map you look at). This will really put the old legs to the test. Stories and photos to come on Sunday, as I am sure I will be sitting up resting and recovering.