Dan Mazur's Kangchenjunga Spring 2002

31 May Dispatch: A long hard day. We left Gyabla about 7 am and arrived in Sekathum about 4-5 pm. We had lunch in Amjilasa. We slept in tents for the last time. It rained like crazy that evening, but most of us stayed dry. We waited for the dreaded leeches to appear, but only a couple were seen... 

Jangbu and Dorje showed up. They had gone back to Camp 2 to collect equipment after we left. They marched long and hard to catch up with us, and it was good to see them back safe and sound.

1 June Dispatch: Yet another long, tiring day that never seemed to end. About ten hours on the trail (or more). We hiked to Chirwa through rice paddies, forest, and increasingly populated areas. After Chirwa, the heat was brutal, the trail rocky, and we trudged on to the village of Mitlung. Only one beer in the whole town! However, we comforted ourselves with rakshi instead. Several porters didn't arrive until after dark. Ivan tried to teach us the Spanish words to "La Cucharacha" as we sat in the cool air on the wooden veranda.

2 June Dispatch: The last day of trekking. Only a few hours, but every step uphill (over 600 meters gain) and the heat was overpowering at times. Once we reached Taplejung we were supposed to meet Jangbu, but most of us wandered about for a while before finding the hotel. Jangbu arranged the bus for the next day, so there was little to do except to rehydrate with the coldest beverages we could find.

3 June Dispatch: Day 1 of the bus ride. The road from Taplejung is long and torturous, and we rode for over 14 hours to reach Birtimote (on the main East-West highway). There is little worthwhile to say-we had a good driver and made good time. A late dinner led to hot rooms inhabited by various creatures. 

4 June Dispatch: We reach Kathmandu after an extremely fast bus ride--we arrive by 7pm. We check into the Hotel Nepa and relish the TV, toilets, and cleanliness. After a shower several of us head for the Everest Steak House for a piece of 'real meat'.

5 June Dispatch: We unpack, dry out, clean up, and enjoy the luxuries of Kathmandu. The World Cup dominates the airways and the Nepalis have TVs and radios on in almost every shop. We contact families and friends via phone and email. 

Several members of Chris's family are here--his wife Natalie, father Hugh,
sister Heidi, and old friend Ken (Gnu) are all at the hotel. We spend time with then and have a nice dinner together at a Thai restaurant. 

Sincerely, Daniel Mazur from http://www.SummitClimb.com

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