I’m sat in Himalayan Java in Kathmandu after another 11 hour Jeep ride from the foothills of the Himalaya. Himalayan Java is probably one of the most popular café’s in the tourist area of Kathmandu… most importantly for me it has the best coffee and cakes available. I’m killing time, not overly productive, but nice to sit and relax in such comfortable surroundings. The last two days up in Phaphlu were one of two extremes. The first day was an easy and enjoyable walk up to the Monastery Thuben Choling, a large complex clinging to the hillside, where I spent the night. The following day was a little unexpected. I assumed we would look around the Monastery then return the way we had come… but how wrong could I be! We walked up to the ridge 1,000m above us for one last look at the high Himalaya and then descended 1,800m back to Phaphlu. This was the longest walk I did and the the one with the most ascent and descent in one day!

It’s not very often that I look at the statistics that modern day technology can give you, but here are just a few from my five weeks away.

• 12,865 metres of ascent
• 9,389 metres of descent (the difference between ascent and descent was the helicopter ride from Baruntse Base Camp to Lukla)
• 175km walked
• 84 hours 32 minutes walked (including all stops and rest’s during the walk).
• 1.3km per hour, slowest pace, average for the day
• 4.1km per hour, fastest pace, average for the day
• 2.07km per hour average pace
• 29,591 kcal’s burned during the walks
• 6,161 metres, maximum height
• -22 degrees, lowest temperature
• 26 degrees, highest temperature
• £23, the average daily cost per wear of my high altitude boots since purchasing them in 2012!

Just a few facts, I very nearly put some clothing facts down, but decided too many of you would think I was a tramp… I have seriously thought about throwing some of the garments away! But I’ll see if Carolynn can resurrect them!

My thoughts are now turning to home…