Nag Tiba

Tuesday, May 17th 

This was the view from half way up.  The valley in the middle of the photo was our starting point - altitude of about 1350 meters/4429 ft.

Tim taking a business call on the side of the hill. 

 

Tim standing at the base of a cool rock face.  After climbing for about 4 hours, the peak at the top of this photo was still not the peak we were aiming for.  We hiked around this one on the way to the real peak. 

Below the peak, there is plenty of shade from a lush green forest.  It is probably covered in clouds most the time. 

Lunch at last!  About 3019 meters. 

 

  3022 meters/9,915ft

I decided to climb in style: knock-off Ray Bans and Surly Brewing Co. quick-dry shirt.

 "MN represent!"  

 

We got lost for a few hours right below the peak.  I was sent as one of the scouts to find the path again.  Once I found it, I yelled at the others to hike towards me.  While waiting for the others to come, I had some time to nap in the shade of this tree.

I stopped to check out this flower... I could hear Steve Martin singing: My little butter cup... 

 

Aditya (Addy) can always make me laugh.  That is nice when we're an hour or two from our taxi and there is a thunder storm following us. 

The hike was a great success! All 6 of us plan to ascend a peak twice as high in June; it was great training. 

Care/Birthday Package Received

THANKS!!  I'm feeling the love (because I'm 100% materialist).  In the package; titanium French press, two bags of whole bean, light roast, Dunn Bros Coffee, (book) Poor Economics, Cliff bars, long johns & glacier glasses for the expedition.  (Mom, did I forget anything?)  I'll be thinking of my loving family who found/purchased these gifts for me while I'm on the side of a mountain on my 25th birthday.

Benefit for Japan

Friday, May 13th

I did my hair up nice.  I took this auctioneering role seriously.

Live music

 

What could this cream possibly be used for...  ?

This looks like a good use!  The dorm supervisor, Tim was first to be "pied".

Prateek lucked out when his wife set the highest bid.  She lovingly placed it on his face.

  

Here is Iman pie-ing Caleb in a not-so-loving manor :)

The bidding wars for slamming a pie in my face got a bit more intense after I passionately, and somewhat jokingly, told my boys, "If you love me, you'll pie my face!"  

Its not everyday the head of the Senior School willingly allows students to treat him this way.

These 11th grade boys acted as the "boosters" for the night.  After the auction was finished they boasted how  in each bidding war they entered they were able to double the bid and let someone else take the highest bid.  Apparently these risk-takers did not have any cash on them.  

Overall, it was a successful evening.  The students and few staff raised 33,000 rupees or about $730.  Wow. I could not go to sleep that night after so much excitement.  For a few hours, I just lay in bed thinking about how generous this community acted in response to such a devastating event.  It was a good night to work at Woodstock!