Kathmandu,
Nepal. One of the many Buddhist
temples. Dorjee, Nathalie and Bernard
visited the Lama to receive his blessing before
starting out on their expedition. |
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The
Twin Otter lands in the village of Lukla
(2 800m). It is said to be the most inclined
airstrip in the
world, at 30°! Lukla is the jumping-off
point for Everest expeditions.
Photo: Claude Grenier
- Martin Vachon |
These
bits of cloth are prayer
flags. The prayers are carried off by
the wind and sun...
People there say that the prayers
fly up to the Himalayas to protect those who
touch the walls of the impossible.
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It's
wrong to think that "Sherpa" means porter.
Sherpas are the people, originally from Tibet,
who now live in most Himalayan valleys. A
Sherpani and her child. |
Sherpas
live very simple lives, often with no electricity
or running water. They farm their land and raise
some animals. Dalh bat is their favourite food:
lentils, potatoes and dry meat, all flavoured
with curry. |
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This
Lama is someone
quite exceptional. He has been at the Base Camp
for all expeditions for over ten years now, and
celebrates an important religious ceremony, the
Puja, for each team. He is also in charge of the
sherpas who install and maintain (ropes and ladders)
in the Icefall between the Base Camp and Camp
II.
A mountain-climbing Lama. |
To
get to the foot of Everest, you have to trek.
There is no road, but just a path of about 60km
between the village of Lukla (2 800m) and
the Base Camp (5 400m). All the supplies
and equipment is carried by yaks and porters.
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On
the trek, we discovered
lots of villages, all set in breathtaking environments.
Narrow trails, abrupt drop-offs and hanging bridges.
No place for anyone with a fear of heights! |
Gokyo
Lake. An irresistible attraction for
most trekkers. Lakes are a rare sight in the
Himalayas. It is frozen for much of the year.
Photo: Claude Grenier
- Martin Vachon |
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Dorjee
is first and foremost a friend, Bernard's companion
on his two Everest expeditions. One of the best
mountain climbers, with no fewer than five successful
Everest summits to his credit (the most recent
on May 16, 2000), he was one of the key figures
in making the famous Imax film on Everest. Dorjee
lives in Phakding, a village along the trail leading
to Everest. He is married, and has a two-year-old
son, Nima. After reaching the summit of Everest
on May 5, 1999, Bernard and Nathalie invited him
to come and spend two months in Quebec. |
Nathalie
shares Bernard's life and co-ordinated the expedition
from the Base Camp. Everything had to be meticulously
calculated and planned, since each piece of
equipment was essential. Her days were taken
up with communications, video, photos and even
watercolours. |
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We
sometimes got visitors at the Base Camp. Claude
and Martin, emergency ambulance technicians,
came to spend their vacation trekking in the Himalayas,
planning to reach Base Camp. Well done, guys! |
