October 20, 2007

Far from the towns
Where some pretend to be real
And others panic in the face of reality
There is a high place, the highest place
Where love, the most fickle of emotions
Connects with hope, a thought cast to the future
That becomes this moment
Where strength, the most physical of angels
Whispers and carries me forward.
These words
One wish, one tribe, one eye
Become united
I am transformed by the simple beauty of it all.
C.C.

Today’s journey from Gorekshep To Lobushe led us to yet another landscape – more barren than any we’ve seen so far and no less beautiful. The savagery of the open rocky terrain and the clear sunlit view of the vast jagged peaks around us was a great leveler - this and the great company of the Sherpas and porters, so cheerful and helpful under their massive physical burdens. James and I —both agog at the “lunar landscape” -as he described it – were reflecting on the warm homes awaiting us all at the end of our adventure.

The first part of our trek today was steep and rocky and the location for our music rewarded us with an eerie beauty. It was a great privilege to be playing our songs at the Dulga Memorial – a place dedicated to the countless brave Sherpas and guides such as Scott Fisher, who have lost their lives on the mountain.

As always everyone joined in with the music, including Sherpas. As always there was a fantastic positive energy, and by the end of the songs that great sense of the ridiculous which is driving this crazy adventure.
J.W.O

Cy Curnin and Jamie West-Oram
Love Hope Strength
October 20, 2007
Lobuche, Nepal
16,100 ft, 4,907 m

Final notes from Shannon:
After a very rough night for most, I am happy to say that everyone seems to be back on track. Everyone is over the stomach viruses and altitude sickness (PS. Oli never had it) and our team is once again strong and ready for our final push in the morning to Kala Patthar to perform the highest concert ever on land all in the name of cancer awareness. We will be hanging prayer flags in honor of all who battle, all who have won, all who we have lost and all who support us.

As if we have not had enough amazing moments…I walked into the lodge in Lobuche after a very long day and was immediately greeted by a gentle giant of a man. He introduced himself as Allen Wilson of Houston, Texas. He had learned of our journey from a flyer we left in Namche Bazar. We have been leaving them in various locations along the trek to invite people to join us on Kala Patthar tomorrow. It seems that fate has stepped in, once again, as Allen is a 2 time male breast cancer survivor. He will be with us on our journey tomorrow. Allen handed me a paper cut out of the pink breast cancer ribbon that he had taken to the Lama in Pangboche to have it blessed. He asked that we carry it with us and take a photo on at the concert. Sufficed it to say we are honored. Honored to take his ribbon and honored to have met such an amazing man. Thank you, Allen.

As you can imagine, power at 16,000 feet is a commodity. We have been having issues – amazing we have made it this far without them. We are still doing our best to bring you the journal, podcasts and pictures each day but do not worry if we go silent for a day. All is going great. Seems that a few of your text messages from the website have not made it. Please keep the messages coming, we are getting most in but the satellite is a bit hit or miss now.