The sun greeted us with its warm embrace as we peered out early in the morning. The promising sight of clear skies and a rain-free day filled us with joy. As we embarked on our trek, the beauty of the Himalayas stretched out before us, leaving us in awe. Steph, capturing the essence of the moment, exclaimed, "It's crazy to be higher than helicopters!"
The Shirt Savior: A Nepalese Tale
Mary, one of our intrepid trekkers, found herself feeling unexpectedly warm during our journey. The Nepalese weather was proving to be hotter than anticipated. As we made our first stop and browsed the local shops, Mary embarked on a mission to find a lighter shirt to keep cool. After a humorous encounter involving a dog fight (no, really), she approached one of the shopkeepers and asked for a lighter shirt. In a heartwarming gesture, the woman disappeared into her own closet and insisted that Mary take one for free. Grateful and somewhat bewildered, Mary left some money as a token of her appreciation and found herself at the perfect temperature for the rest of the trek.
Mong La: Where Lunch Comes with a View
Our lunch stop at Mong La left us speechless as we gazed upon the incredible vistas surrounding us. It was unanimously declared as the most stunning place we had ever had the privilege of having lunch. Tom was so enamored by the experience that he decided to stash some tater bites in his pocket, vowing to munch on them all the way to our next destination.
The Journey to Dole: Waterfalls and Cricket
Our trek continued, taking us on a four-hour adventure to reach Dole. Along the trail, we ascended and descended in altitude, crossing valleys and streams, all while being serenaded by cascading waterfalls. Upon our arrival at the Yetti resort, we were delighted to find locals engaged in a game of cricket. Katelyn and Tom even got a taste of the sport before we settled down for some tea and an enlightening geology session with Vince.
Vince Rocks: Unveiling the Geology of Everest
Vince, our geology enthusiast, kicked off his presentation with a flurry of dad jokes that had us chuckling. As we delved deeper into the subject, we were treated to fascinating insights. Did you know that the first map by National Geographic featuring Everest was produced in 1933? There are 14 mountains higher than 8000 meters, and they all owe their existence to thrust faults. The Indian plate's rapid movement caused it to collide with the Eurasian plate, giving birth to the Himalayas. The mountains continue to rise at a rate of approximately 10mm per year, although weathering and erosion could potentially slow them down.
The geological makeup of the region includes dolomite, which has higher magnesium content than limestone. Yellow-tan marble, known as the "golden ring," is found around Everest. Feldspar, the white rocks in the region, are common in the mountains. Astonishingly, there are even fossils of sea life to be found on Everest!
The "hardcore" section of the region features igneous and metamorphic rocks, including granite and dark pokadots called peelight. Overlapping sedimentary rocks resemble shingles atop the mountains, and blunt, steep slopes create a striking landscape.
Vince also touched on the history of measuring Everest's height, from the use of theodolites to more modern methods.
He concluded with a discussion on climate change, emphasizing that about 20 years ago, it was scarcely acknowledged. In 2019, the first weather station was installed at over 6000 meters, revealing concerning trends of ice thinning, if not outright melting. The region also boasts ice stupas, which provide an astonishing 10 million liters of water to the lands each year.
End of the Day and Bonus Information
After an enriching seminar with Vince, we savored a well-deserved dinner and settled in for a restful night's sleep. But before we conclude this post, we have exciting news to share – Amber was featured in an article by the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation. You can read all about it by following this link: [Immersive Professional Learning Grant Provides Educational Experience of a Lifetime]
Stay tuned for more adventures, laughs, and insights from the heart of the Himalayas as we continue our journey through Nepal!
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