In April, 2023, Paul Martel, founder of the U.S. non-profit, Partners For Andean Community Health (PACH) will trek 32 miles in Nepal from Phakding to the summit of Gokyo Ri. The trek will honor David Guacho and the employees, physicians and volunteers that make up the foundation FIBUSPAM in Ecuador. FIBUSPAM was co-founded by Paul in 2006 in the city of Riobamba high in the Ecuadorian Andes. Since its founding, nothing less than a small miracle has developed there. The tiny clinic that began in the small balcony of a church has developed into a full scale, 4 story hospital. Over the last 15 years, FIBUSPAM has brought health and surgical care to tens of thousands of needy children and families throughout Ecuador. Despite, the ravages of COVID in Ecuador over the last three years, David Guacho and the people of FIBUSPAM made remarkable advances in patient care, staffing and infrastructure. This trek will honor these profound accomplishments.
To learn more about these developments at Hospital Fibuspam, you can view the following short video in both English:
and Spanish:
The Trek will follow the following schedule:
April 17th- Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding (8,562')
Our flight left JFK on time and we are now over Spain. Oddly, less than half-way. Note that Mikie climbed up on the back of the plane to get a great picture.
As in Namche, it was important for us to acclimatize in Machhermo (Big Yak Butter) before our big push up to Gokyo at 15,583 ft. and the summit of Gokyo Ri at 17,575. We arose to a crystal clear morning with about 5 inches of fresh snow. After a typically great breakfast, we set off on a steep climb up the skirts of Machhermo Peak.Trekking in fresh snow in the bright sun, we were surrounded with magnificent views. Although difficult, it will remain one of our favorite climbs. Despite many days of trekking, it seems that the higher we get, the bigger the mountains get and we continue to stop every few minutes with our mouths agape. We had particularly clear views of Cho Oyu, the world’s 6th highest peak. We gained a new high altitude of 15,500 feet and returned to Machhermo after about 4 hours ready for our push up to Gokyo the next day.
Today we continued our progress trekking from Dole at 13,200 ft to Machermo at 14,600. We started in the forest and later reached the tree line. We were chased by threatening rain clouds nearly all the way. We arrived safely in Machhermo followed by heavy snow and hail that accumulated to 5 inches. It was extremely cold and the snow dimmed our hopes for next few days. The lack of internet service was also frustrating but it was clear that things had changed at this altitude. The conditions are much more primitive here. The following day will be our last rest and acclimatization day. People gathered around a stove in the dining room to keep warm. However, the stoves burn yak dung and the smoke was a bit much. We retired to our rooms, sleeping bags and blankets early to keep warm. Tomorrow will be our last rest and acclimatization day and we woke often concerned about the cold and snow.
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