The following was written by Trish McNeil, wife of Jerry McNeil – FamilyWorks Board Member. Jerry is in Nepal climbing to the Everest Base Camp and raising awareness of the problem of senior hunger. You can read the rest of Jerry’s story HERE.
4/12/16
Jerry reached the top of Lobuche (20,000 ft) and made it down safely!!!
He said it was the hardest thing he has ever done. From high camp it was 1500 feet of sheer ice to the top and he had a cold! So proud of him and all he has accomplished and so glad he met his goal and is back at base camp. Tomorrow he starts the trek back.
Before making the climb to the top, Jerry spent 3 days at Lobuche base camp where he celebrated his 70th birthday. Then the group hiked 7 miles over rough terrain to Everest Base Camp. Once at EBC they spent some time seeing the camp, practicing ice climbing with a harness, and experiencing another ceremony for his brother Dan and a Puga for all climbers. Here are a few more pictures:
P.S. To date Jerry has raised over $2000 for our neighborhood food bank.
4/3/16
“Jerry will soon be on his way to Lobuche Base Camp where his group will be acclimatizing and taking some short climbs. He doesn’t actually go for the top until April 12. After three days at Lobuche Base Camp, his group will travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp for another three days, then back to Lobuche for the actual climb to the top.
I’m including six pictures from his week. He spent two days in Namche, then the group traveled to Deboche and spent two days there. On Saturday, April 2 they trekked to Pangboche and met with Lama Geshe for their blessing ceremony. He is an internationally known Lama, and “keeper of Buddhist Knowledge of the highest order” says blogger and Jerry’s fellow climber Paul Pottinger.(His blog is pottinger.net and he’s blogging about the trip if you want to tune in.) The Lama prayed over and blessed each climber and presented each with a prayer scarf and card to take to the top of the mountain. He also performed a special ceremony with the ashes of Jerry’s brother, Dan. Jerry said this was incredibly moving and emotional for him and for the rest of the group. (You can see all of the pics below)
After the ceremony the group headed on to Pheriche for the night.”
CLICK HERE to join Jerry in the fight against senior hunger.
Jerry On The Trail
Panboche, Home of Lama Geshe
Lama Geshe Blessing Jerry
Jerry with Picture of His Brother Dan
Lama Geshe Blessing Dan’s Ashes
Yak On The Trail