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The roof of the world Brad's Everest ascent
EPIC JOURNAL

Epic Everest – Update 9 Gorak Shep

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Epic Everest Update 9

written by: Brad Horn 12 Apr 2018

Everest Base Camp Trek – Gorak Shep (5164 m)

Again we woke to a beautiful clear morning at Gorak Shep.  There was a fall of snow overnight so it was beautiful to see a carpet of white.

Gorak Shep, 5164 metres. The trek today was relatively short, roughly 4 km in total. Not that distance means much here, it is more about altitude and time. We gained roughly 250 metres in altitude today over a two hour trek. The trail was pretty busy with all the logistics going in to Base Camp in preparation for the climbing season and a steady stream of trekkers.

The landscape is dominated here by the Khumbu Glacier which leads up to Everest itself. The tip of Everest was visible bathed in a shroud of “lenticular” cloud. Nuptse and Pumori, each 7,000+ metre peaks, bookend the valley.

Tomorrow early, we will climb Kala Patthar (5,545 metres) to watch the sun rise over Everest. This is the highest point of our EBC trek. We will then head onto Everest Base Camp itself.

 

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Booking through Epic Private Journeys took the stress out of organising an overseas trip to a country we weren’t familiar with, South Africa. We really appreciated the attention to detail and knowledge of the area shared with us. Sam and Lisa always made themselves available for any questions we had, including whilst on the trip which was great! The experiences we were exposed to were phenomenal, and the trip as a whole exceeded our expectations. Thank you so much.
Claire and Beau
Anita and the whole Epic team did an outstanding job organizing, planning and executing our trip to Kenya. Their attention to detail, from assisting us with choosing our outstanding accommodations, to having a pre-trip preparatory call with a staff member on the ground - to having several people immediately waiting for us at the airport and helping every step of the way, made our vacation the best ever! When there was a flood in Kenya just a couple months before our departure date and our accommodations were closed for the year, Anita was able to find us superb last minute accommodations, which ended up being the favorites of our trip. We loved every minute of our incredible trip and are so grateful for working with Anita and Epic.
Danielewicz family
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to East Africa, arranged for us by Sam and Epic Private Journeys. We had the most wonderful time! Their expertise in laying out our itinerary, and arrangements was impeccable! Thanks to their knowledge and experience, we were thrilled with each location that we visited, enabling us to enjoy the wildlife, as well as the culture of these beautiful countries. The guides, accommodations and travel arrangements were all fabulous. We enjoyed a mix of canvas tents and lodges, each with their own unique personality and natural beauty. This involved several moves throughout Kenya and Tanzania, and all of our travel connections went flawlessly! Their communication with us in preparation, for the trip was so helpful. From completing visa applications, to packing lists to recommending unique stops along the way, they were immensely patient and generous with their time, answering all of our questions, and making us feel completely prepared to go. And they continued to be in touch with us along the way, always available to provide guidance. We are so grateful to the team for this fabulous experience, and cannot wait to get our next African journey planned!
Julie and Monty
Re-entry has taken longer than expected, but I'm finally taking a breath to respond.  Might also be due to Pisco Sours twice daily during our entire trip! THE TRIP WAS FABULOUS!!! Everything we hoped for and more from an Epic trip.  A gift of memories beyond measure!! Hotels? We would return to all! I am clearly spoiled!   Thank you again for another successful adventure.  Cindy & Jack – Amazon & Machu Picchu
Cindy and Jack
Our trip to Africa was a dream come true; everything we wished for was granted by the genies at Epic! From the onset they listened, responded, explained and supported. Advice and recommendations were spot on, there was no point in which we felt the experience wasn’t designed entirely around us. We would do it again in a heartbeat. Anna
Anderson family
Climbing Kilimanjaro with Epic was nothing short of a life-changing experience. Their commitment to excellence and a genuine passion for providing a transformative journey created moments our family will remember for the rest of our lives. From the early calls about training and health markers to the team helping us with the climb on the ground, Epic's meticulous planning, attention to detail, and unwavering support ensured that every step of the climb was not just a physical feat but a soul-stirring adventure. For us, the journey was not just about reaching the summit but about the transformative moments along the way—the camaraderie forged in the tents with the guides, porters, and cooks, the breathtaking landscapes that unfolded with each day, and the profound sense of accomplishment as the summit came into view. Every person on the expedition was willing to help and went above and beyond to create a memorable experience for all of us, and we genuinely felt they enjoyed our presence as well. Epic's commitment to sustainability and ethical tourism also allowed us to have peace of mind throughout the journey, knowing that we would leave as little of a footprint behind. Climbing Kilimanjaro was a project on our minds for a long time. Embarking on this adventure with Epic made it an even better experience than we thought possible. They truly gave our family an 'experience for the books,' and we look forward to creating more memories with them in the future.
Leonardo Abedum de Lima Hanzawa
Our Safari in Africa was a once in a lifetime experience for our family. Throughout the planning Bridgit and Rob carefully listened to and answered our questions and fully understood our expectations, needs and concerns as a family of 5 traveling in Africa. Anita’s attention to detail with the complicated logistics made the safari seamless from beginning to end. Kudos Anita! Trekking gorillas in Uganda was one of many highlights and truly an unforgettable experience. Our kids thanked us too many times to count for such an incredible trip. Thank you, Epic, for making this a magical family vacation where lifelong memories were created!!!
Shelly – Family of five
Just wanted to let you know we had a wonderful, successful climb/week on Kilimanjaro. We cannot begin to express how impressed we were with the crew/guides/cooks/porters and level of service and care. We had no idea we’d be taken such good care of and all agree it ”made” the trip. All of my friends thanked me again and again for finding Epic for our climb. We always felt safe and cared for. The connections we all made on the trail/at camp with these amazing souls will stay in our hearts and memories forever. What a beautiful group of people.
Lynne – Mt Kilimanjaro
I just wanted to thank you so much for everything you did to help put together our incredible Africa adventure. It truly was a trip of a lifetime, and I know how hard you worked behind the scenes to make it all happen. I also know how much effort it took in the eleventh hour when our flight got cancelled to make sure we would still be able to make our dream trip a reality. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We hope to embark on another adventure with Epic in the future, and in the meantime have been telling all of our friends to reach out to you to plan their next trip.
Dana
It was such a pleasure being with Epic and we had a fabulous trip. Thanks to your exquisite planning and extraordinary knowledge of the places we visited.
J. Rock – Botswana, Zambia
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