BOOK DESCRIPTION

In Memoriam

Darlene Stout (1954-2012)

A wonderful friend, a benign soul who loved people, animals and flowers. She fought the good fight with an inhuman strength. She will be missed by all. The Earth is a lesser place without her presence. Her spirit is walking in her beloved mountains forever and we will hike together again.

Darlene (left) and Sharon at the summit of White Mountain, 14,242',
Labor Day 2010 testing out cold-weather gear and getting exposure
to high altitude prior to October 2010 trek to the Himalaya. On this
day, Darlene's lung cancer was stage 4 but she refused to let it stop her.

Darlene (right) and Sharon at lunch in Khumbjung before a 2 hour trek
up to the Tengboche' Monastery.

Darlene and friendly Sherpa owner of the teahouse.

He knows he's handsome! Yak stud bull strikes a pose on bar-berry
covered hillside south of Pangboche'.

Mt. Everest from Khumjung.

Sharon starting out from Dinboche' in the morning on the way to Phortse'.
The Himalaya back country truly is Shangri-La!

There's that yak again!

Tengboche' Monastery

Sherpa

Bird's Eye View

I'd like to thank Wongchu ... owner of Peak Promotion Nepal for making our "Bucket List" Great Adventure happen! Darlene's health needs were taken into consideration and Wongchu designed a specific tour for us. Since we could go no higher than 12,500' due to Darlene's compromised lungs, we planned a trip that would take us half way to Mt. Everest, but most scenic. We turned around in the astoundingly colorful hillside village of Phortse'. We didn't want to stand at the base of Everest. We just wanted to see it.

I highly recommend Peak Promotion Nepal as this wonderful travel agency will take care of every detail, starting with lodging in Kathmandu, flights to Lukla, lodging in the Khumbu Region as well as expert local Sherpa guides and porters. And the whole trip was extraordinarily affordable! Peak Promotion Nepal has been around a long time and specializes in treks of all sizes, ranging from small ones like ours to summitting major peaks in the Khumbu ... and Everest!

And thanks to Kurt Wedburg, owner of Sierra Mountaineering International, Bishop, California, for suggesting and endorsing Peak Promotion Nepal.

Website: www.PeakPromotionNepal.com