Although the team had a chilly start this morning at Basecamp (nothing that copious cups of hot coffee and Kumar’s rice porridge can’t fix) stunning blue skies soon warmed things up with beautiful weather for the Puja ceremony.
I can recount the activities from afar, but it’s much more pertinent straight from the horse’s mouth.
“We had our 3.5hr Puja this morning, followed by the sherpa crew dancing and singing. The Puja is an important prayer ceremony where expeditions pray for safe and successful passage through the mountain. Food, drinks, and offerings made out of tsampa (a grain), not unlike Buddhist offerings back in Singapore. Everyone brought our key climbing gear and placed them near the altar for blessings. Lots of chanting, tossing of rice and streaking one another’s cheeks with tsampa powder for good luck.
These Nepali sherpas and guides, who risk their lives for (and with) us as we risk ours. Such strength and pure hearts. Seeing them again across expeditions, I don’t have words to describe that kinship. I came away from the Puja covered with powder and a very very warmed heart” – CTSS Climber, PS Sim
The prayer flags are flying high and colourful and now the climbing can truly begin.
Meanwhile, lower in the valley, our Trekking Team are soaking up the thick air and their last days in the Khumbu enjoying some seriously spectacular views as they make their way down from Namche toward Lukla today.
Today we also remember and pay our respects to the Sherpa who lost their lives in the icefall tragedy of 2014.
