The Book,

“Pete’s Himalayan Adventure”

By Pete Dutfield

Has been out of print for some time now but for those who are interested there is a copy available for loan in The Wolverhampton Lending Library.

The book is a recollection of an old man’s trip to the Khumbu Valley and Everest Base Camp. The trip was organised by Andrew Tomlinson (Tommo) and Andy Clarke for the spring of 2006, with young Richard Wilkes and the author making up the rest of the team. It goes on to describe the classic trek from the infamous Lukla airstrip, past traditional Sherpa villages and monasteries and cumulating at the incredible viewpoint of Kala Patar above Base Camp. On the way, sometimes camping, sometimes staying in primitive lodges or teahouses, they spend time in the amazing town of Namche Bazaar, well worth a visit in its own right. They encounter problems with Yaks and their crossing of the 5330 metre high Cho La Pass is thwarted by the worst snow storm at that time of year, throughout the last forty years.

Throughout the trip they are cared for by the poor and impoverished but always friendly and happy people of the Khumbu Valley.

The book is an almost day to day account of the trip and should be read by anyone contemplating a visit to that fantastic valley.

A tale of a classic trek told with feeling and well worth a read.

The foreword written by Andy Clarke, former chairman of Wolverhampton Mountaineering Club, is included below. » Read more: Pete’s Himalayan Adventure