Why Travel Insurance is a Must

Swacon-1Post written December 24: When I booked the trip to Nepal, the tour company, Nepal Eco Adventure, mentioned it was mandatory to have travel insurance. Of course I would ensure that I was fully covered because that’s just smart travel… but usually with travel insurance, you never think you’re going to need it.

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To Dengboche: Time to Turn Back

"Sometimes being awesome means knowing when to turn back..."
“Sometimes being awesome means knowing when to turn back…”

Post written December 23: The past night has been the coldest so far. I’m pretty sure I was wearing most of what I own: a baselayer and fleece-lined windproof pants. Underlayers on top, with fleece and a heavy down jacket. Then I shimmied into my fleece sleeping bag liner, into a heavy sleeping bag, followed by a heavy blanket on top. And I was still cold. When Dan and I awoke, a layer of ice covered the windows.

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Reflection En Route to Tengboche

Mount Everest in the distance
Mount Everest in the distance

Post written December 22: Todays’s trek from Namche Bazaar (3440 m) to Tengboche and Deboche (3820 m) was tough. Of course everything was beautiful and we had great sunny views of Everest throughout most of the trek, though clouds began to form above the peak. We first descended 200 metres to the river followed by 600 metres of strenuous uphill. At the current altitude, it was brutal.

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Acclimating at The Hotel Everest View

How civilized. Lemon ginger tea with Mount Everest behind me.
How civilized. Lemon ginger tea with Mount Everest behind me.

Post written December 21: I started the day with porridge. I figured that after the horrible stomach bug, I should eat something bland but full of energy. Thankfully it did not upset my stomach again, as we had a 400 metre climb to the Hotel Everest View.

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Five Strikes to Namche Bazaar

Entering Namche Bazaar. It may not be evident, but I wasn't not doing well.
Entering Namche Bazaar. It may not be evident, but I wasn’t doing well.

Post written December 20: Last night was a crazy cold night. During my correspondence with Chattra at Nepal Eco Adentures, he mentioned that you may be hiking in 15 degree Celsius weather, but sleeping in -20 degrees. And sure enough, even with my baselayer, cross country ski pants, wool socks, baselayer top, fleece top, downjacket, sleeping bag fleece liner, and warm sleeping bag, I was cold. Damned cold.

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