Trekking For Debbie: 2010

Jill with Debbie's Dream banner at North Base Camp in Tibet 5/2010

Well, as always, it's taken me a long time to post this. As those of you following this blog know, Debbie's Dream banners were carried to Mount Everest Base Camp and on a summit attempt by two different people, one of them being me. (I went to East and North Everest basecamps) My beloved friend, Dipen, who was carrying the other banner and going for the summit, was evacuated from about 24,000 feet with a life-threatening ruptured appendix. Dipen endured a very rugged evacuation-process, taking several days to get him to a hospital in Kathmandu, where doctors emergently removed his appendix. I'm very happy to report he is doing well and recuperating from the surgery! I had the wonderful pleasure of visiting with him and his family at their home in Kathmandu.

Dipen and his mother at their home in Kathmandu 5/2010

Having fun during a wonderful visit at Dipen's home.

The banner that Dipen was carrying was given to a fellow Sherpa and DID make it successfully to the top of Mount Everest!!!!!!!! (I will post those pictures as soon as I receive them) Dipen is keeping that same banner and wants to carry it himself, on his next summit attempt, possibly during next year's climbing season. So the good news is that the message of Debbie's Dream is being publicized all over the world. I am proud to be a part of this valuable and life-saving foundation. Thanks so much for donating to Debbbie's Dream and for following my blog. Tashi Dalek and Namaste, Jill

I'll soon be embarking on an awesome journey through Tibet. While I'm traveling through Tibet (with an amazing group of photographers!) and trekking to the Kanjung Face of Mount Everest, my good friend and amazing Sherpa from my last trek, Roshan (Dipen) Bhattarai will be preparing to summit the mountain.

Dipen at summit of Mount Everest

As part of my trip, I'll be visiting North Base Camp, where I hope to visit with Dipen before his summit bid. Dipen has generously offered to carry something for me to the top of the mountain. It's tough deciding what to give someone to take to the top of the world for you!!! For me, it was a pretty easy decision. If you've been following my blog from the start, you'll know that on my last trek, which I named Trekking for Debbie, I raised $15,000 to help fight cancer. My fundraising project was dedicated to my sister-in-law, Debbie, who is fighting stage 4 gastric cancer. My efforts evolved into something much more than I had ever imagined. I have now passed the reigns to Debbie's Dream, Debbie's foundation to raise money and awareness specifically for gastric cancer.

Climbing to the top of the world is never predictable. If all goes as planned, you'll see Dipen wearing these bracelets and holding this banner as he summits the mountain. Debbie and I are very excited about this project. If you are able, please show your support by donating to Debbie's Dream. Thanks!