Mera Peak climb (16/12/2006)
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Outside a Lukla restaurant
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Lukla is an international hiking centre!
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Flags mark the start of the trek over this bridge
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Getting a feel for the packs carried by the porters
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These guys are really going to carry this stuff!
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Looking a bit tired right at the start?
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A dodgy-looking wooden bridge
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At the next stopping place
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Street scene
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Porter with tonight's meal
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Meat and two vests
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Meeting the local kids
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Ready for another day walking through the forests
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Trekkers' accommodation on the route
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At last, a cup of tea!
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Bill wondering what to write next
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Evening entertainment
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All mod cons provided
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Almost like Switzerland!
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Signs on the route
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Ready for the serious stuff
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Bill and friend - look behind you!
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A refreshment stop
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On the trail through the forests
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From now on, it's yellow tents
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High in the Himalayas?
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Time to enjoy a birthday celebration
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Above the forest now, and into the mountains
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Anyone got a spare red shirt for this guy?
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Several members of the party removed their shirts, but only one was needed
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Some energetic walking above the forest
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End of another day, almost mist it
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The support party organising the packs
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Suppose we'd better get used to it then.
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More comfortable than the tents!
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Welcome to Lama Hotel
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And this is Lama Hotel
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More forest lies ahead
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Waiting for the soup
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Fresh milk in your tea?
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The high peaks in the distance
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On with the trek through the forest
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We have to get up there somehow
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Time for another cup of tea
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Ready for the next bridge
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Wonderful weather!
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Early start - more tea?
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The Inku River valley
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Bill and a big mountain in the distance
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Considering the next section of the route
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Getting closer to the high peaks
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Getting the laundry done
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Looking across a boulder field to the high summits
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Sunny spot
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Our guides
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Some of the big stuff around us
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Meeting another trekker!
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The scene above the camp site
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Ready for the final ascent
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Negotiating a rocky section
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Looking up 1
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Looking up 2
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On the ice
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Ice world
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Ice climbing
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Camp overshadowed by giant peaks
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A clear day
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A clear day 2
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Looking down on the morraines
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Liam just happy to be here!
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Heading towards a glacier
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Enjoying a break in the sun
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Setting off again
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Base camp
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Practising rope work on the ice
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It's easy really
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As easy as this!
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The porters organising their packs
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Yes, we can get you up there!
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Ready to go
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Route through the glaciers
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Our objective
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All roped up
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All roped up 2
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Time for some refreshment
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All roped up 3
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It's that way
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Up there!
Some dodgy characters on this climb
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Dramatic view 1
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Dramatic view 2
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Onward and upward
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Bill & dramatic view
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Colleague & dramatic view
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Bill & dramatic view again
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Panoramic view
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The slope ahead
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Tents ahead
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On the glacier
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Seat on a slippery slope
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On the final climb
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Nearly there
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Nearly made it 2
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Superb view of the summits
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On top of the world
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Final climb
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Summit line-up - made it!
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Success on a summit
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Setting off down again
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Heading down
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The smiles say it all
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Leave those for the next trip!
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The route down - superb conditions
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Ahh 1
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Ahh 2
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Ahh 3
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Back to the Mera Peak Hotel
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Ahh 4
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Then the mists came in
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The successful party
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And the mountains in the background
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Panoramic view on the way down
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Rest on the descent
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Still some tricky trekking to be done
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Making the most of the scenery
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Religious decoration on the route
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Celebratory mood
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Checking them in
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Unexpected bit of ropework on the way back
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At last, a proper seat and a beer!
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...and something hot to eat!
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What did you say we were eating?
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Presentation ceremony 1
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Presentation ceremony 2
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Presentation ceremony 3
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Presentation ceremony 4
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Ready to leave Lukla airport
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Lineup at Lukla airport
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Enjoying a meal back in Kathmandu
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View of the city from the restaurant
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Final tour of the sights
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Bill's bike moment
