(Picture: Our 33 duffel bags from Singapore arrived, much to our relief)

THANK YOU for the resounding send-off at the airport! Our patron, sponsors, family and friends have moved us to tears with their well wishes. It’s great to know that with the highest mountain in the world ahead of us, we’re backed by tremendous support.

We’ve landed safe and are settled into Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu. Our major concern about logistics was solved as all our 33 duffels have arrived safely, thanks to SilkAir. We spent the first 2 days sorting out our gear and settling the admin with our guiding company. Packing our gear and personal essentials into separate duffel bags was no easy task!

Packing our immense amount of gear

It rained the day we arrived and that was a great thing because it washed away the city’s layers of dust. Showers of blessings indeed! In order to prevent catching a cough from the dust, we resorted to walking around the city with surgical masks on. Yes we look ridiculous, but it’s worth it to keep the cough at bay!

We were also hosted for dinner by the Nepal Tourism Board and the All Nepali Women’s Team, which summitted Everest last year. We had a great time chatting over dinner about their climb and exchanged tips about our past mountaineering experiences. It’s a rare chance to meet another all-women’s team so we really treasured this opportunity.

With the Nepal Women’s Everest Team

We’re headed for Lukla on a domestic flight the day after (24 March), and will be trekking in to Everest Base Camp from there. Along the way, we will do an acclimatization climb at Loboche East Peak, and we hope to update you from Loboche Base Camp next!