History of Trek Tales.
Help- send oxygen! Gorak Shep - el 17100 ft. After two resting days and two trekking days we've reached the last and highest village in the valley. Blink and miss it. Tough walking over rock falls and glacial moraines but fantastic views of Pimori, the Kumba glacier and ice fall, the tip of Everest with snow blowing off. Picture perfect day with blue sky and good temps. Tomorrow, a short hike to Everest Base Camp. Saw an avalanche today well above base camp but heard of some climber injuries on the hill. We won't be there.
The group is holding up well but the thin air is very noticeable. Walk three steps uphill and rest; sleeping is more difficult.
It has been fun talking with climbing teams who travel down to rest and recharge at the lower villages before returning for a climb to the summit. No thank you!
We are all anxious to see base camp tomorrow. Tom
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Trek Tales with Dr. Tom Prater: Part 3
History of Trek Tales.
Mt. Everest and sister peak Lhotse popped through the clouds several times in the past two days. We've climbed to Periche at 14,200 ft - the climb involved multiple ups and downs to cross river valleys and suspension bridges. A few snow showers yesterday but still walking in shorts; bundling up when the sun goes down.We trekked under the shadow of Ama Dubham and are well above the tree line now.
Health-wise, the group is doing well. Our pulse and respiratory rates continue to rise with altitude. Resting blood oxygen saturation is 88-90%, dropping to to 80% with 2 minutes of light exercise. Any typos are hypoxia-induced. 7 doctors and two nurses handle everything . We've lost over 1/3 of our air according to our group's atmospheric physicist. Blood hemoglobin levels are rising impressively (mine is 19.3) as the bone marrow responds to hypoxia with increased red cell production. Sleeping is restless. Hydration is important.
Food is ok - the grilled coleslaw sandwich with fries at lunch yesterday was a first; breakfast consists of omelet, oatmeal, and toast. I haven't knowingly eaten yak! Glad to have my Starbucks instant and the Askinosie chocolates. Celebrated my birthday in style yesterday with a silly Sherpa hat and card at breakfast and a birthday cake after dinner decorated with "Happy Birthday" written in ketchup! The Nepalese use what they have.
Two rest days here for adaptation, then two and a half trekking days to Baswe Camp by Friday.
Enjoyable and fun as we go onward and upward!!
Tom
Mt. Everest and sister peak Lhotse popped through the clouds several times in the past two days. We've climbed to Periche at 14,200 ft - the climb involved multiple ups and downs to cross river valleys and suspension bridges. A few snow showers yesterday but still walking in shorts; bundling up when the sun goes down.We trekked under the shadow of Ama Dubham and are well above the tree line now.
Health-wise, the group is doing well. Our pulse and respiratory rates continue to rise with altitude. Resting blood oxygen saturation is 88-90%, dropping to to 80% with 2 minutes of light exercise. Any typos are hypoxia-induced. 7 doctors and two nurses handle everything . We've lost over 1/3 of our air according to our group's atmospheric physicist. Blood hemoglobin levels are rising impressively (mine is 19.3) as the bone marrow responds to hypoxia with increased red cell production. Sleeping is restless. Hydration is important.
Food is ok - the grilled coleslaw sandwich with fries at lunch yesterday was a first; breakfast consists of omelet, oatmeal, and toast. I haven't knowingly eaten yak! Glad to have my Starbucks instant and the Askinosie chocolates. Celebrated my birthday in style yesterday with a silly Sherpa hat and card at breakfast and a birthday cake after dinner decorated with "Happy Birthday" written in ketchup! The Nepalese use what they have.
Two rest days here for adaptation, then two and a half trekking days to Baswe Camp by Friday.
Enjoyable and fun as we go onward and upward!!
Tom
Friday, May 15, 2009
Mutual of Omaha Aha! Moment Tour Coming To DCS!
If you see a 34’ Airstream trailer roll into town this summer, you’ll know that Mutual of Omaha is here. Springfield is one stop on the 25 city aha moment tour across America. Hitting the road in a custom mobile studio as part of Mutual of Omaha’s “official sponsor of the aha moment” campaign, the aha moment tour is going on the road to capture real aha moment stores from real people across the country and they invite you to share your story. Times slots are limited so register today at www.ahamoment.com to reserve your spot!
What: Mutual of Omaha’s aha moment tour
Where: Discovery Center of Springfield parking lot
When: Monday, May 18 and Tuesday May 19 from 12pm-8pm each day.
For more information contact Megan Reed at Skadaddle Media, 417-332-5577 Ext 11
Monday, May 11, 2009
Trek Tales with Tom Prater: Part 2
History of Trek Tales.
Namaste from Namche Bazaar Nepal. Two days of trekking and a 2500 foot gain in elevation from Lukla led us to the largest village on our trek. Hot and dusty walking throuhg beautiful pine and rhododendron forests on a trail of dirt, rock, and steps. This is the main trade and tourist route to the Kumba Valley as this area has no roads and one airstrip. The trail has been crowded with other trekkers from around the world, porters lugging everything from rice and cases of beer to lumber and steel pipe, and yak trains loaded with gear. We will spend two days here acclimating to the change in altitude.
The group is handling both the walking and the altitude well. Daily measurements have shown a decrease in blood oxygen saturation and compensatory increases in pulse and respiratory rates. Appetites are down but still good after the exertion. We expect more changes as we ascend another 8000 ft over the next week. Met another xtreme-Everest group coming down from base camp; all looked well and have enjoyed the trek. Only one helicopter evacuation but nothing serious!! I should be able to report in several more times before reaching Everest Base Camp.
Stay tuned. Tom
Namaste from Namche Bazaar Nepal. Two days of trekking and a 2500 foot gain in elevation from Lukla led us to the largest village on our trek. Hot and dusty walking throuhg beautiful pine and rhododendron forests on a trail of dirt, rock, and steps. This is the main trade and tourist route to the Kumba Valley as this area has no roads and one airstrip. The trail has been crowded with other trekkers from around the world, porters lugging everything from rice and cases of beer to lumber and steel pipe, and yak trains loaded with gear. We will spend two days here acclimating to the change in altitude.
The group is handling both the walking and the altitude well. Daily measurements have shown a decrease in blood oxygen saturation and compensatory increases in pulse and respiratory rates. Appetites are down but still good after the exertion. We expect more changes as we ascend another 8000 ft over the next week. Met another xtreme-Everest group coming down from base camp; all looked well and have enjoyed the trek. Only one helicopter evacuation but nothing serious!! I should be able to report in several more times before reaching Everest Base Camp.
Stay tuned. Tom
Friday, May 8, 2009
Bike, Bus, Walk Week
10 Reasons you should try alternative commuting:
- Conserves resources
- Non-polluting
- Inexpensive
- Relieves traffic congestion
- Businesses get attention for participating
- Save time by combining exercise and commuting
- Arrive at work or school invigorated
- Experience nature
- Improve your health, energy and productivity
- Free breakfast at Panera! (mmm... coffee and bagel)
Besides the obvious benefits of
alternative transportation,
like improving your health and saving resources, participating in Bike, Bus, Walk Week, does have extra perks - free stuff!
- Free breakfast from Panera (a free coffee & bagel could save the world)
- FREE cool ballcaps for lucky winners
- Free city bus rides all week for those traveling with a bike
- Free showers/towels at the YMCA's and any Cox Fitness Center, the Meyer Center
- Free Ozark Greenways membership for participating 3+ days
- Opportunity for your business to win a traveling trophy
- A good feeling about helping create a bike/pedestrian friendly community
It's free and easy. This is how you do it:
- Decide to take the Challenge - To get to and from work without your car at least one day during May 11-15
- Recruit your co-workers to take the Challenge, and compete for the coveted traveling Challenge Trophy
- Don't forget to tell them everyone who participates at least one day that week gets a free breakfast from Panera. Yes!
- Register your workplace or school and print the handy sign-in sheet to tally your workplace participation (choose one person to be your contact person)
- Participate that week, May 11-15
- Turn in your tally sheet to us by email or mail or bike messenger (businesses with the most participation win the coveted traveling Challenge Trophy and prizes)
- Get your free Panera breakfast coupon from us when we get your tally sheet (oh sweet coffee & bagel)
- Feel good that you're contributing to a more bicycle/pedestrian friendly Springfield
- Keep doing it!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Discovery Center hosting 4 NASA exhibits until end of June
Join Discovery Center of Springfield for the May Star Party, May 8th 5-8pm.
Discovery Center continues to focus on the International Year of Astronomy. Friday, May 8th from 5-8pm join the Springfield Astronomical Society on Discovery Center patio to look at both Saturn and the moon. Discovery Center is trying to get 150,000 people to look through a telescope in 2009.
Discovery Center will be unveiling 4 new exhibits on loan from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. These exhibits are part of NASA history and will be on display at Discovery Center from May 1st until June 30th. Included in these exhibits is a model of the space shuttle and a space suit worn by Apollo astronauts. Come check it out and look for an opportunity for you to get your photo taken wearing a space suit!
Star party on the patio is free and general admission applies to enter the museum. For more information call 417-862-9910, Ext 706. Discovery Center of Springfield is a hands-on interactive science center located at 438 E St. Louis in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Completing an expansion project in September, 2006 to be the 1st LEED Gold Certified building in southwest Missouri. Discovery Center is open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Admission is free to members and children 2 & under. $9.00 adults, $8.00 seniors and $7.00 children (3-15).
Discovery Center continues to focus on the International Year of Astronomy. Friday, May 8th from 5-8pm join the Springfield Astronomical Society on Discovery Center patio to look at both Saturn and the moon. Discovery Center is trying to get 150,000 people to look through a telescope in 2009.
Discovery Center will be unveiling 4 new exhibits on loan from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. These exhibits are part of NASA history and will be on display at Discovery Center from May 1st until June 30th. Included in these exhibits is a model of the space shuttle and a space suit worn by Apollo astronauts. Come check it out and look for an opportunity for you to get your photo taken wearing a space suit!
Star party on the patio is free and general admission applies to enter the museum. For more information call 417-862-9910, Ext 706. Discovery Center of Springfield is a hands-on interactive science center located at 438 E St. Louis in downtown Springfield, Missouri. Completing an expansion project in September, 2006 to be the 1st LEED Gold Certified building in southwest Missouri. Discovery Center is open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Admission is free to members and children 2 & under. $9.00 adults, $8.00 seniors and $7.00 children (3-15).
Monday, May 4, 2009
Trek Tales with Tom Prater: Part 1
History of Trek Tales.
Hello from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. We've settled in to the Summit Hotel and conquered jet lag. Our first round of medical/physiological testing was completed this morning at an altitude of 5000ft. Our group of 11 is getting reaquainted having first met in London in February. Kathmandu is a large, smoggy city full of friendly people. Hope to explore it this afternoon. Hope to have more to report in a day or two after our short flight to Lukla tomorrow and the beginning of our actual trek - two days from Lukla to Namche Bazaar. Now - off to find my luggage that went missing-- a shopping trip may follow!! Tom
Hello from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. We've settled in to the Summit Hotel and conquered jet lag. Our first round of medical/physiological testing was completed this morning at an altitude of 5000ft. Our group of 11 is getting reaquainted having first met in London in February. Kathmandu is a large, smoggy city full of friendly people. Hope to explore it this afternoon. Hope to have more to report in a day or two after our short flight to Lukla tomorrow and the beginning of our actual trek - two days from Lukla to Namche Bazaar. Now - off to find my luggage that went missing-- a shopping trip may follow!! Tom
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