Saturday afternoon and we have completed two practice treks and survived!
Early start yesterday morning and began our trek just after 7.30 am before the heat of the day kicked in.We climbed up to Leh Palace winding our way through the streets and heading out towards the accent path. It was fairly steep all the way up and the views were stunning, Himalayas one side and the Caracorum (not sure if that's the correct spelling-sorry)mountains on the other side.Loads of colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the sounds of the religious music(Fri is the sabboth day) travelling up to the tops of the mountains. We have to pinch ourselves to remind us that we are in India!Wierd feeling.
We were all breathing fast and could feel the effects of the altitude. Different challengers took turns in leading the group and we zig zagged up, using ropes to cross ridges and where challengers felt vulnerable. From the palace we continued up to one of the stupas, here you could see into the next valley and across towards the river indus. Lots of group photos to mark the occasion. Lunch on the top and then the decent down which was even harder on the kness!
We arrived back at the REWA centre early afternoon, packed up our tents & sacks and headed back to the Oriental Guest House for the next 3 days. This was a bonus, real beds and proper showers, whoop whoop, we couldn't wait!
Today was very similar to yesterday but we trekked up the river bed and round to another stupa. Both days we have trekked to just under 4000meters. Fantastic achievement and all challengers are embracing everything which is thrown at them. They have amazed me and I feel very privileged and proud to be given this opportunity too.
Tomorrow we have been invited to the REWA picnic for over 100 children, carers and their families. It's another early start as we have to be at the centre for 6.45am!We also have to prepare a puppet show and group dance! Ha ha how good!
Not sure if I'll be able to blog again until after the 12 day trek which begins on Monday. I wish Hermitage staff all the best for the last 4 days of term and hope everyone has a brilliant summer break.
The challengers are looking forward to sharing all their stories with you in the new term.
Will blog after the trek; we are really looking forward to it but also with some anticipation!
Wow, it all sounds fantastic. Well done for all you have done and are doing! Hope you feel proud of yourselves, we certainly are very proud of you all! Great idea to blog too!
ReplyDeleteWould be lovely to have a photo of the complete World Challenge Ladakh team on the blog ( where's Catriona got to?? anyone else escaped??)
Hope you all enjoy the treks in the Markha Valley. Eat well. Love xx
amazing!! it sounds fantastic - looking forward to seeing all your pictures.
ReplyDeletemake the most of your beds and showers tonight, 12 nights of camping to go!! :-)
good luck with your BIG trek. we'll be thinking of you all !! make the most of it all, and enjoy it! love kate xx
glad all has gone well for you, its great to hear all you news. hope the trek goes well. all well here. love barry x
ReplyDeleteI am trying yet again to send a comment. Well done to all you are doing so well. It was great to read your news when I got back from Germany. Enjoy the treks. Barry
ReplyDeleteAt last it works!!!
ReplyDeleteReally good to know that the money from school was put to good use. It sounds very special and I am looking forward to seeing the photos and hearing more about your adventures. It must be strange being at altitude all the time. Hope the picnic and puppet shows go well too.
Barry
Gill the blog is fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping us updated and knowing your all well!
It sounds like you are all having an unbelieviable experience, one with lots of stories to tell in September.... i predict an amazing assembly :-)
Take care of each other!
We are thinking of you all
Lynn (Miss O) x
Hello. If you are reading this then hopefully you have succesfully completed your challenge. Hope all went well and you are all safe and sound. Well done looking forward to hearing from you soon!Barry
ReplyDeleteGill had a short time on the internet yesterday and all challengers are well and succesfully completed their trek. Well done to all, you have achieved so much. I know that they have now set off on a long bus journey to their next destination ready to be 'tourists' so they have no internet access for some time. Many congratulations once again! Barry
ReplyDeleteOnly realised yesterday that there was a blog.Have now caught up with all the news - what an amazing adventure and such an achievement. Can't wait to hear all the stories. Is
ReplyDelete