Hello cybernauts, this is Vernon Tejas with Alpine Ascents Mount Everest 2002 Expedition. We have moved up; we're on our way to Base Camp. We left bright and early this morning from Namche after saying goodbye to our friends. We started up the trail. We've made an elevation gain of about 400 meters.

[inaudible]...200 meters and we're now resting at the Ama Dablam Lodge View Hotel, situated here in the midst a pastoral setting. [inaudible] ... in the shadows of the rhododendron trees.

On our way we experienced one of the most fantastic prayer ceremonies I've ever been to in my life. The whole crew was treated at Tengboche Monastery to evening prayer time when 25 monks came into the monastery, sat down with their saffron robes on and proceeded to chant and play musical instruments that were very unearthly.

[inaudible] for hours to witness this tradition that's been going more than likely for centuries, maybe thousands of years. [inaudible]

Everybody is in great spirits and we're going to spend the night here and go over, proceed on up the [inaudible] to the next stop at Dingboche, where we'll rest up and get acclimatized.

We just want to say hello to all our loved ones back home, miss ya a lot. Ciao for now.

— Vern Tejas, Alpine Ascents International Guide and MountainZone.com Correspondent

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