Bhandar to Jiri – the final steps for Hillary and Tenzing (third blog today)

Well, our journey is nearly over. We are a little behind schedule, which we knew was very optimistic, but we have the advantage of buses which can drive over boulder fields. We’ve done well over 250 kms, around 153 miles, which is 60 miles more than we set off to achieve.

We have been trekking for 18 days and have climbed Chukhung Ri, 18,200 feet, Kongma La, 18,209 feet and Everest Base Camp, 17,600 feet. We climbed Kala Patthar up to only 17,900 feet due to adverse effects of altitude. We then yomped through 60 miles of jungle, enduring leeches, mudslides, landslides, tigers, bears, humidity and schadenfreude.

Schadenfreude? What the feck has schaden-feckin-freude got to do with this list of adversities?

Well, it demonstrates inclusivity towards the German language and ergo the German people, who have never been referred to positively in any of your blogs over the last 8 years.

Ok, I kind of get it but just let me point out how positive I have been about the Germans, and their delightful language, over the last 8 years………………………… I didn’t glorify two world wars and one World Cup! Well that’s good innit?

The first light of dawn lit the poor road through the town.

We got up at 5.45am and grabbed breakfast before catching the bus to Khimti Khola. This is not a normal bus service. This is hell, especially when the bloke next to you is looking in two different directions and his wife starts throwing up before you’ve set off. The road is a bulldozed reminder of which direction it might be wise to go in, but not essential, and the penalty for a momentary lapse of driving concentration is a thousand foot tumble. Taking the passengers (like us) along with you.

The rolling and tumbling these buses take is ridiculous. How they keep going is a miracle of modern suspension, strength and schadenfreude.

If I see that word again I’m abandoning this blog. Why did you put it in again?

It made good alliteration with suspension and strength.

Well tickety feckin boo. Arse makes good alliteration with a lot of things but it doesn’t mean I have to put it in my blog.

Like what? What does arse alliterate with?

Farce?

That’s rhyming not alliterating,

Erm………….. lots of things alliterate with arse, anyway you’re barred. I think most people will feel mightily relieved by that.

I’m not relieved.

The road started with a marathon climb up a very steep hill, followed by a marathon drop. It lasted for three hours. Bouncing over boulders. Then we reached a turning in the road, signposted to Jiri. Hooray! We disembarked and walked a way down the Jiri road.

And a shop over the river showed signs of normality. Chickens and fish. Get them here!

Within 15 minutes the bus to Jiri had arrived. We’re off again! And through the window we could see Jiri nestled in the distance.

These buses play really loud Nepali pop, with a bouncing beat. It’s really easy to get wrapped up in it. We love it. Dav said it’s better than Joe Satriani! Well, I thought he did. But it was a noisy bus.

Then we came to the edge of Jiri. Me, Dav and Nir disembarked and walked down a short track. Here it was, the starting and finishing point for Hillary and Tenzing, which we had followed for many days. It was emotional.

Emotional enough to get the flags out in respect to our heroes.

Best regards gentlemen, may you rest in the peace of the mountains which allowed you to climb them. Our commitment to our sponsors and those who had supported us was now over. We had delivered more than I could have envisaged in effort,pain and schadenfreude! The Fellowship had served its purpose and had now passed into Smith and Kilby folklore.

We made our way up to Jiri.

Eating momos, local savoury dumplings, and having a shave and haircut.

Cop the Barnet on Killbilly junior.

And Smithy too!

We marched the last three kilometres to Nir’s house,where we had been invited to stay. And could look back from there at Jiri. And the newly shorn Nir!

Mrs Nir met us with marigold garlands.

The Trek was officially over. We had a lovely evening with a great chicken meal and drank several variations of local beer. Watched recorded football and went to bed for an early start and a very long bus ride.

I’ll continue the blog for family and friends but the trek is done.

Thank you for following us and may the road rise with you. It’s been a gas!