Trek8848

03/11/2023

29/05/2023

C’est avec un immense bonheur et un peu de soulagement que nous vous annonçons que la construction du dortoir de l’école de Chheskam est complétée.
Il y a aussi beaucoup de nostalgie puisque le projet n’aurait jamais vu le jour sans notre ami Robert Labrie, qui nous a quitté prématurément en 2020.
Ce projet là aura été parsemé d’embûches et de défis. Mais il nous aura aussi permis de faire de belles rencontres et de tisser des liens encore plus forts avec les gens de la communauté. C’est probablement pourquoi nous en sommes si fiers.
Un énorme merci à tous ceux qui ont contribué de près, ou de loin.

19/05/2023

4 places remain for our Everest base camp trek via Gokyo this autumn. Contact us for more information if interested.

25/03/2022

La construction du dortoir avance très bien. Merci à tous ceux qui sont impliqués de près ou de loin 💛

04/01/2022

C'est avec beaucoup d'enthousiasme que nous vous annonçons que la construction du dortoir de Chheskam est enfin débutée!
Nous avons une grande pensée pour notre ami Robert Labrie qui nous a quitté de façon prématurée l'an dernier. Sans sa générosité, sa sensibilité et sa détermination, le projet n'aurait jamais vu le jour.
Et nous tenons à remercier sa famille et ses amis qui ont suffisamment cru au projet pour le soutenir malgré son départ.

12/10/2020

Thank you for joining me for the first video edition of the DO BIG THINGS podcast. Dr. Rob Casserley is a renaissance man. He has climbed Mount Everest seven...

16/11/2019

Until next time Nepal!

08/11/2019

A few photos from the trip. Everyone made it to base camp and they are on their way down via Gokyo

02/10/2019

A beautiful and informative video of the last honey hunter filmed in a village very close to Chheskam. It will give you an idea of how remote is the school, and how important education is to those children. https://vimeo.com/201695311

In the steep mountain jungles of Nepal’s Hongu river valley, members of the isolated Kulung culture have risked their lives for generations scaling dangerous…

14/01/2019

On 25 April 2015, an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude on the richter scale brought chaos and catastrophe to Nepal. We were at camp 1 on Everest and came through this terrifying ordeal unscathed. However, 3 of our teammates died in the events. Pasang Temba, Tsering and Kumar.
Kumar was the father of 4 young children living in the remote village of Chheskam, in the Solukhumbu.
The school of the village had been badly damaged by the earthquake, compromising their education.
Fundraising took place and what we envisioned as a small project soon became a lot bigger than anticipated. The school has been rebuilt and a sports ground has been made. A computer lab has been put together making Chheskam, to the best of our knowledge, the first connected school in Nepal. And somehow, with more projects underway, we feel this is only the beginning. We call it the butterfly effect 🦋 If you are interested in reading the account of our latest visit to the school, you can go to

http://www.trek8848.com/chheskam-school

08/01/2019

Getting higher!

05/01/2019

4th day in Nepal and over 40 hrs in the jeep. Time to stretch those legs!

21/11/2018

What do you mean pollution in Kathmandu. Contrasting photos during the same flight: 1)take-off from Lukla and 2) touching down in KTM!

21/11/2018

Why do we keep coming back? The people of the Khumbu. Thank you to all who have opened their hearts and welcomed us once again and afforded our team an unforgettable life opportunity. ‘Too-chay’ (thank you).

21/11/2018

What is dedication, endurance, tenacity?

An amazing achievement Robert Labrie. To come back, 1 year after your first success, to complete the trek and climb, unassisted, in great style, is a fantastic achievement. It has been an honour once again to share your company and approach to life. A more generous or kind man would be hard to find. The Sherpas and I salute you.

21/11/2018

So - a little recap. Lobuche East was a great success. 7 western climbers, 2 sherpas and most importantly Ang Nuru - our friend, climbing legend and Sherpa guide.
We left around 00:30 on 17 November. The weather, which had been colder than normal for most of the trip relented, and we had a mild start. Walking by the light of a half moon and the stars, we made good progress through the night to crampon point. Special cheer for Rowena who conquered her fear of heights and exposure to get there with the rest of the group.

With crampons on, we headed up the fixed lines with very little consequence. Staggering views of the Himalayan range and in particular Everest off to our right side. The team performed tremendously well and I am so happy to say that everyone made the summit. Special shout out to Robert, at 75 years young, summiting for a second year in succession and in great style. Equally Rowena, who with every step was cementing her story as the ‘turn-around’ of the trip. At the beginning she had trouble crossing some of the bridges in the lower valley!

All-in-all, congrats to Martin, Kevin (Conn), Ian, Phil, Robert, Rowena, Namgel Sherpa, Pemba Dorje Sherpa, Ang Nuru Sherpa and I guess, me(!).

Everyone descended without great consequence - apart from a twisted knee that is now being cared for in Kathmandu.

We have now made our way down the valley and I now find myself writing this at Lukla airport, with hopes of being in Kathmandu in the next hour. But you never can bank on getting out of Lukla, so let’s see!....

16/11/2018

Yesterday morning started with John, David and Kate flying back to Lukla and then KTM as planned. They are now safe and sound in KTM. After their departure, I had a great morning - ‘easing the springs’ and taking a ‘brisk’ walk up to Cho La pass. Like an ice-rink on the glacier, but managed to tackle it with my trail shoes. After lunch the team did rope practice with jumars (ascenders) and figure 8s for abseiling. Everyone did really well. We are now really looking forward to Lobuche East which awaits us tonight and tomorrow. Weather looks great, so I am feeling quietly positive for the team’s chances. This morning, Kev (Vann) left for a little jaunt to Gokyo. We miss him already, but we will meet up again with him in Namche in 3 days.

16/11/2018

What a fabulous day today, walking from the pyramid - Lobuche, to Dzhongla. Amazing views of Ama Dablam, the valley with Pheriche in all its glory, Cholatse and its Alpine lake. John performed like a legend. Happy travels! Thanks to our porters who have been quite fantastic.

16/11/2018

Morning stroll amongst the Himalayas

13/11/2018

All the team safely to Everest Base Camp and back. Amazing day with glorious sunshine and almost warm enough for T-shirt! Awesome!

12/11/2018

Well, what a trip! Congrats to Martin, Phil, Ian, Kevin, Kate and Rowena. Great effort to get to the summit of Kala Pathar. We had perfect weather and the Alpine Glow did not let us down. Bring on Base Camp!

12/11/2018

We had a stunning day, walking from the pyramid (my new favourite place to stay above 5000m!) along a high ridge line to descend down onto the top of Lobuche hill. Then the slow, undulating drag into Gorak Shep. All members here safe and sound, Nuru Kev and me. Kalha Pathar (‘black rock’ literally translated) this afternoon and hopefully outstanding views of the South West face of Everest in the Alpine Glow...

12/11/2018

We had a great 2 days with Gurmen and Yange at Sonam lodge, Pangboche. Most of the team walked up to Ama Dablam Base Camp and then visited Nima Lamu at Mingbo.
I’m eating too much food, but apart from that, feeling very happy to be back in the Khumbu!

11/11/2018

All team safe and sound at the pyramid in Lobuche. Good to be back after 15 years!
Gorak shep and kala pathar tomorrow - all things being equal!

11/11/2018

We’re sitting in Sonam lodge with old friends Gurmen and his son Chewang. A warm welcome as ever. Acclimatisation trek to Mingbo (Ama Dablam base camp) affording great views of the mountain and the Khumbu Valley. Hope the photos do it justice!

09/11/2018

The team is doing well, the weather is good and we are enjoying amazing views in the Khumbu! Today was a « rest day » and some of the trekkers went to Ama Dablam base camp.

08/11/2018

Happy to be back in Nepal 🇳🇵