Townsman, 1991-07, Page 141
row terraces that in the fall will yield
rice, corn, millet, barley, buckwheat
and potatoes. In smaller plots, usually
around houses, are planted lentils,
soybeans, mustard, turnips, radishes,
pumpkins and spinach.
No trail meanders long on the same
plane and none runs far without pass-
ing some form of settlement, be it a
cluster of houses and a small trekkers
lodge, or a well-established village.
Most are built on the sides of hills or
deep in valleys, always near water,
running fast and cold from the snow
above.
This area is most frequented by
trekkers from October through May,
though in December, January and
February some of the higher passes
are impassable because of snowfall.
Heavy rains of the monsoon tend to
discourage visitor traffic from June
through September. For the Khumbu
five the days were summertime warm
and dry, though late-aftemoon clouds
brought with them a significant reduc-
tion in temperature. By dusk the skies
usually cleared and the nights were
cold enough to freeze water bottles in
the tents. Crawling out of a sleeping
bag at daybreak did not make any-
one's top 10 highlights list. By mid-
morning, however, walking was most
comfortable in shorts and a t -shirt. In
the higher reaches the wardrobe selec-
tion was influenced by cooler temper-
atures, stronger winds and a sun that
increased its burn potential with glare
from the snow.
At Deboche, where the elevation is
12,326 feet (3,757 metres), the Khum-
bu five group was hit by an overnight
thunder and lightning storm that
dropped six inches (15.2 centimetres)
of snow. For one of the Australians it
was a first-time experience, and his
Overnight storm
dropped 6 inches
of snow
amazement was entertaining. For the
southwestern Ontario Canadians it
was like a bad blow in early Decem-
ber. For several of the Nepalese
porters it was time for revolt. Huddled
and shivering under grey skies the fol-
lowing morning, they refused to go
on, saying the trails would be too
treacherous. After lengthy discussion
among the leaders, yaks were sum-
moned, the party broke camp and
slogged on. The weather worsened
later in the day but by then the group
had gone up another 1,782 feet (543
metres), to the village of Dingboche.
The next day dawned bright and
white, cold and still — a mountain
postcard with the 22,493 -foot (6,856
metre) — Ama Dablang a stunning
backdrop.
After two nights and two day -treks
(one of them to about 17,500
feet/5,334 metres) at Dingboche, tihe
group moved on to Lobuche, the
small settlement most used as a base
when heading for Kala Pattar. On the
way to Lobuche, (16,175 feet/4,930
metres) the trail winds close to the
crest of a ridge where stone cairns
have been erected in memory of
climbers killed on expeditions to near-
by summits, mostly Everest. Among
the mountaineers so remembered is
Blair Griffiths, a freelance cameraman
from Vancouver who was killed in an
avalanche September 2, 1982, during
an expedition that put the first Canadi-
ans on the top of Everest. Three other
members of that team, all Sherpas,
also died.
From Lobuche, situated below the
terminal moraine of a tributary
COMEDY TONIGHT
SERIES TICKETS
ON SALE NOW
AT BLYTH MEMORIAL HALL
Adult Series (includes GST)
4 shows for $44.00
Buddy Wasisname and the
Other Fellers
• A Newfoundland Experience
Saturday. October 19, 1991 - 8 p.m.
Wingfield's Folly
• A Great Comedy by Dan Needles
Saturday, November 18, 1991 - 8 p.m.
Just For Kids Series
4 shows for $20.00 (includes GST)
Lampoon Puppettheatre
• Folk Tales From Around the World
Saturday, October 19, 1991 - 2 p.m.
Dads in Bondage
• A musical Comedy by Robert More and
music by Tom Doyle
Sunday, March 29. 1992 - 8 p.m.
Dave Broad foots Comedy crusade
• A one-man laugh -tilled evening
Saturday. May 9, 1992 - 8 p.m.
Presented with the assistance of the
Province of Ontario, Ontario Arts
Council.
Just for Kids Series proudly supported
by
Charlotte Diamond
• Learning Combined With Music
Sunday. November 10. 1991 - 2 p.m.
Canadian Content - "On The Go"
• Song. Dance, Music & Mime
Saturday, March 21. 1992 - 2 p.m.
Jim & Dave's
Awesome
Environmental
Adventure
• 100% Recyclable Show
Saturday, April 25.
1992 - 2 p.m.
Series Ticket On Sale Now
Single Tickets Go On Sale September 2nd
Meet Some Wonderful Characters!
Reservations call (519) 523-9300
12 TOWNSMAN/JULY-AUGUST 1991