Two Iconic Brands

Weight supported by spine, braced by the back

Carried by Sherpas
Given prominent display
Enjoyed by all nationalities

Proudly announcing product line up

Available

Kept under lock and key

Available. Prime shelf

Home made signage

SMB at the base camp. Photo by Larry Honoridez

Two icons in the Philippines are at the highest points in the world.

San Miguel Beer and Coke, brands familiar to all Filipino beverage drinkers are in every inns on the way up to the Everest Base Camp. These drinks are painstakingly transported by the porters from Katmandu at 1,355 meters ASL to various inns along the way up to the highest inn at the route in Gorak Shep at 5,180 meters. Price too per bottle increases correspondingly with the elevation from as low at 30 rupees to 250 rupees for beer and softdrinks.

Why bring these products all the way up to perhaps the highest outlet in the world? Because they satisfy the thirst of international trekkers. Including us, Pinoys.

A Typical Trekking Day for the 15 Days

Daily personal care rituals at the outdoor basin

Repacking on the 1st day. Porters pre-selecting the lightest duffle bag

The view from the room that can kill

Gears needing a break

Prayer stones

A Typical Trekking Day for the 15 Days

-Wake up at 5-5:30 AM at 5 degrees C.
-Line up for the toilet in your sleeping or trekking clothes.
-Get fresh air outdoors at 6 AM.
-Take sunrise pictures for 30 minutes.
-Return to room at 6:30. Pack duffle bag and bring it out at the door for the porter pick up.
-Take breakfast with group at the dining hall 7:00.
-Take medication. Brush teeth. Apply sunblock at 7:30.
-Pick up daily requirement of drinking water.
-Dress for hike 7:45.
-Start trek at 8:00 AM. Start morning prayers.

-Stop for lunch at about 11:00 AM.
-Order lunch.
-Lunch after 1 hour.
-Leave for the next destination at 2:00 PM.

-Arrive at destination usually after 2-3 hours.
-Proceed to designated room.
-Unload baggage. Set up bedding.
-Add more layers of clothes.
-Choose meals for dinner.
-Dine with group at about 7:00 PM.

-Retire at 8:00 PM.

Typical outdoor toilet and shower area. Photo by Larry Honoridez

The 30th of May was one untypical day, an exceptional night. Spent in Tengboche, the group honored one man a "39 at 39,000 M." The man who saw that we are properly funded and budget well accounted for. Spent in the company not with his family but with friends, it was one memorable night for us. Because that Wednesday, we tasted apply pie. Belated Sir Dom.

Tengboche night shot by Larry

Smart Link Support

Smart in their print ad placed in all the major Philippine papers this 2 June Saturday used this photo with the copy "Yes, we can. Smart Link joins the record-setting Filipina Mt. Everest climbers in proving to the world that indeed, Kaya ng Pinay." Photo of the 3 Pinay climbers was requested from us on 30 May, Wednesday while we were on the way to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok to board our Philippine Airlines flight back to Manila. We selected 3 photos from the hard disk of Mr. Banny Hermanos.

Unfortunately due to the large size of the files, we could not transmit the material via email. As we were on the way home, our Thai Bahts were in short supply. Cost per 20 minutes of internet at the airport was 200 (or about 150 pesos, compared to 10 Bahts per hour at downtown.) Down to the last few seconds of our 20 minutes, our google mail failed to transmit. Then Cesar suggested I post the file in my blog for our contact in Manila to pick up. However we run out of Bahts. Fortunately, Dave, a fellow Pinoy who was browsing next seat finished reading his emails had 6 minutes still of unused load. He kindly offered to us strangers his remaining balance.

Smart got only 1 of the 3 files but met its deadline. Thanks to Banny for the photo whose name did not appear in the credit, to Dom who relayed the text message to our contact on how to pick up the large JPEG file and to Dave who before landing in Manila told me he will check out the foto.

Cesar, the Smart personnel holding the flag had his 24 hours on fame this Saturday for prominently posing with the Carina, Noelle, Janet and their sherpa guides Lakhpa Geljen Sherpa, Pasang Nuru Sherpa and Bemba Choti Sherpa. Smart satellite properly beemed to the radar in a clear sky kept us in touch with our friends in Manila while we were at the most popular base camp in the world, Everest. Hearing our voices, they were comforted that we were safe.

Lama Orvin enjoying a private conversation at the base camp station

Janet placing a call immediately upon setting foot at the base camp

Carina in an intimate moment
Our major supporter, Philippine Airlines. Thanks to John Fortes and Fabie Espino

Enroute to Manila via PR 731

Hike to Khumjung

Hike to Khumjung, site of the highest elevated hotel in the world

The 2 hour trek to Mt. Everest Hotel from Namche Bazar where one can view the Mt. Everest peak in this western part of the Sagarmatha Park reminded me of various mountain trails in the Philippines.

At an altitude of 3,440 M ASL, landscape is the grassland of Mt. Pulag with no trees, only grass and short shrubs.

After hiking for a few steps, the sight shifts from grass to a backdrop of jagged teeth like the saw of Mt. Guiting Guiting.

The trail leading to hotel is laid with volcanic rocks in various shapes and sizes it is like reaching the peak of Mt. Apo.

Except for the rich, unique Nepali culture which is evident in every village we pass, it was as if we have not left the Cordilleras in this first one third part of the Everest Base Camp expedition.

As the Himalayas looms larger and closer at 4,000 M ASL with its glacier laced peaks, we see lesser similarities with the Philippine mountains.

The Himalayas now stands distinct and grand, deserving of the claim the world's trekking capital. Everest is majestic but gentle enough to have received us, innocent trekkers from the tropical Philippines.

-Posted in Bangkok

Nepal Photo Captions III. Success Story

Sherpa carrying metal parts of a helicopter from base camp

UK camp. Venue of paragliding take-off

First lunch, Day 1 at the riverside

Most abused duffle bags with maximum allowable weight of 15 kilos

Waiting for the 3 Pinays and their sherpas at the base camp

Rocks on ice

At the most luxurious Japanese hotel

Larry and Orvin

Waiting to be transported

Tengboche. Nepalis send their prayers via stones, prayer flags, via manual and automated wheels

Success

Noelle Wenceslao, Carina Dayondon and Janet Bellarmino, 3 Pinays reached the summit of Mt. Everest from Tibet early morning of 16 May 2007. The 3, known for adventurer races in the tropical setting in the Philippines had a vague idea what trekking in Mt. Everest was when invited by Mr. Art Valdez 3 years ago.

Only after their training at Denali, India in 2004 with their Pinoy counterparts including Leo Oracion and Pastor Emata did they understand what alpine climbing was all about. They knew it would be tough.

Their accomplishment set 2 world records: 1st Pinay on Everest and 1st women in the world to traverse from Tibet to Nepal. While physically fit, the Pinays declared that they could not imagine how they would have done it without each other, their support group from the North and the South side, their sherpas and the blessing of Everest. Everest has been most kind to the Filipino climbers giving them fair weather in all their expeditions to which all the Filipino contingent is most grateful.

Noelle, Carina and Janet express their sincere thanks to Mr. Art Valdez, expedition leader for his vision and detailed guidance, Dr. Ted Esguerra for his medical assistance, to the corporate sponsors who helped fund the 2007 Kaya ng Pinay expedition, to the PALMC support and documentation group led by Mr. John Fortes and Banny Hermanos, to their loved ones and Filipino supporters who prayed for their success and to their super sherpas who pushed and pushed them until their safe completion of their mission.

Everest trekked by English, Europeans, Americans, Koreans, Malaysians, Japanese and other nationalities has now a mark in the summit for the Philippines, thanks to the quests of the 3 Pinays and the 4 other Filipinos.

-Chito posting from Katmandu

Trekking Sagarmatha National Park

25 May 2007
Trekking Sagarmatha National Park is walking over 120 kilometers in a rolling elevation of 2,980 meters ASL to 5,360 in 16 days at a temperature ranging from negative 0 to 20 degrees C at an average of 4 C.

To enjoy the panoramic sights of the world’s trekking capital, one need not be a hardcore mountaineer. But one must be physically, emotionally and mentally prepared.

The Himalayas demands Baga, lungs for respiratory to cope with the thinning oxygen as elevation increases. Sikmura, stomach for digestion to process Nepali food to fuel for the energy requirements of the physically demanding activity trekking an average of 4 hours a day for 16 days. Tuhod, knee and joints that are strong and free from pain for the repetitive movement every minute of walking. Bulsa, budget for food, water, inn and porter in all 16 stops budgeted at $ 50 a day to include the charter flight to Lukla. Gamit, gears to keep your body dry and warm, never mind if not clean all throughout. Company especially those supportive of your endeavor to lighten up the ordeal. An oxygen percent rate in the range of 70s to 90s indicates capability to combat AMS which we all did. Heartbeat below 105 is a healthy indication of not overworking. (Thanks to Larry Honoridez and Ralph Pilapil for the readings.)  What ties them all up is "Buo ang Loob."

Trek can be broken down in five parts, even in steps to those who lack patience and endurance. 1. The 45-minute flight from Katmandu to Lukla in a prop jet. 2. The descending and ascending trail to Namche (2 days) at the alternating slopes of 2 mountains beside the highly charged gushing river. Still tropical in setting, the trail gives a preview of the glacier laced Himalayas mountain peaks including Mt. Everest from a distance. 3. The demanding ascent to Tengboche, gateway to the alpine elevation where trees and vegetation no longer thrive. 4. Slow and difficult ascent to the Base Camp in loose rocks, soil and even sand. 5. Glacier, ice and running water at the Base Camp. Going back is altogether another episode.

Each step from Lukla brings one close to the Himalayas. As the range becomes bigger, I proportionately become smaller. Amidst the grandeur of the range, glacier laced peaks, blinding snow, pine vegetation, mighty flowing river, I in the Himalayas have turned just a speck in God’s awesome creation, humbled but thankful.

The Himalayas, truly the world’s trekking capital. Trekked in the company of fellow Pinoys to share with the Pinoy nature lovers.

-Chito

Should one be unable to trek down due to illness, there are other options to return to the airport: via a helicopter rescue at a steep price of $ 5,000 via sherpa basket or a yak.

Banny and the Russian rescue helicopter at Lukla airport

Pinoy mountaineering club on the world's trekking capital

PALMC Support Group at Tengboche

Today, 10th May Thursday, lunchtime Nepal time is our 3rd day of trekking in Nepal, the world’s trekking capital. 7 Filipinos and 1 Manila based Portuguese under a tropical mountaineering club PALMC are threading on new grounds never been explored by a Philippine based club. Start of the journey was Katmandu, capital of Nepal where we were flown to Lukla on a chartered plane. Lukla, at 2,840 meters ASL was officially the start of trek that would lead the group to the Everest Base Camp at 5,364 MASL in a span of 9 days and then descend back to Lukha in 9 days.

EBC at 5,360 M ASL

Mid-day on the 3rd day, we started at Namche Bazar for an acclimatization to an elevation of 3,780 MASL at Khumjung in 3 hours.

The 8 members of the group with age range from 32 to 50, composed mainly of young businessmen and office managers led by PALMC ex-president Banny Hermanos are sharing the trails proudly with international club trekkers predominantly Koreans, Japanese and Europeans. Well taken care of by Nepali guides Rodyu and Chandra and the 4 young porters Sherpa, we have been treated to sights and sounds of glacier laced peaks, rushing rivers at high altitude and low temperature of about 11 degrees C. Group is ably guided by a seasoned international traveler Gonci de Almeida, a Portuguese who has adopted manila as his main home. Rico Cabusao sees to our medical and kitchen needs and lawyer Orvin Diaz entertains us.

Pinays descending at Khumbu Ice Fall from Everest Summit Tibet Side
welcomed byMr. Art Valdez 18 May 2007. Two records were set:
1st Pinay at the Everest Peak and 1st Woman in the world
to traverse Everest. Kaya ng Pinay! (Photo by Mr. Banny Hermanos)

The group’s main mission is to document the trail that leads to the Everest Base Camp as a future reference to the typical Pinoy mountaineer. Captures in sights and sounds by ace photographers Banny Hermanos, Dom Goduco  the current footage collected so far is inspiringly awesome.

Philippine Flag Proudly Flying at High Altitude

Post Press Conference Socials at Katmandu after the successful bid 24 May

As the group prepares to meet up with the other PALMC Auxiliary Group lead by Chairman John Fortes at the base camp to welcome the 3 Pinays handled by Art Valdez who will attempt to reach the summit from the Tibet side, the group is all hyped up with the preview of the Himalayas. 

The interest created by the successful climbs to the peak of Leo Oracion, Pastor Emata and Romy Garduce in 2006 inspired us to retrace their base camp routes so that the base camp, which once was a dreaded target for most Pinoy mountaineers can be made within friendly and affordable reach through our experience.

World Class Photographer Banny Hermanos with his supporters

Our obligation to our followers is to share our story. Because a story kept like a stored memory is like having no story at all. As time, inspiration and communications linkages allow, we will post more stories.

Philippine Camp at Everest Base Camp

Chito Razon posting from Khumjung, 3,780 meters ASL (Sorry, under time pressure)

Photos posted at Katmandu 25 May 2007

How I Post My Stories

How I post my stories

1. Internet cafes with regular power supply
2. Use of satellite dish in remote areas
3. Internet cafes at centers
4. Satellite phone
5. Internet powered by solar panels

In internet cafes, the farther you are, the more expensive. In Lukla, site of the airport.

Khumjung, transmitted via satellite dish.

Our cafe Namche Bazaar where they give special discounts to Pinoys at 600 Rupees per hour. The operator was infatuated with Janet that he allows us to transfer our memory card to our hard disks for a song. In Thamel, Katmandu it is 15 Rupees per hour, slightly more than 12 pesos.

Via satellite phone relayed to a party in Manila at P 15.0 per minute using a pre paid Smart Link card. Battery charging is from 100 to 200 Rupees per hour. The inn owners use expensive solar panels to generate their power supply.

Spot the 4 satellite panels on top of the roof at our Lobuche Lodge at 4,930 meters ASL. 3 of our porters relaxing. Temperature at about 10 degrees C.