This is Wally Berg reporting with a dispatch from Gorak Shep at 16,800 feet on the 10th of September.

Photo by Wally Berg

It would be easy for me to say this trek is uneventful. It certainly is idyllic in terms of each day being very satisfying and peaceful. As I have mentioned before, no crowds, virtually nothing is going on as we trek up the Khumbu, except that our team, the Berg Adventures Everest 2003, is approaching base camp and the South Col Route. We will be there tomorrow, of course, at base camp.

I just spoke with Wongchu at Peak Promotions via telephone in Kathmandu and Brad Johnson did arrive today, no problems. He'll be on a flight to Lukla tomorrow to join us. And, as you know, our puja is going to be the day after tomorrow, on Friday, at base camp.

The trekking crew, primarily made up of Microsoft people - Karen, Steve, Kevin and of course Dennis, our Communications Director, and Becky - mesh perfectly with the climbing team.

And Grant Meekins, a guide originally from Whitehorse and now living in Canmore, is getting his first introduction to Nepal with Berg Adventures. We're really a very compatible team, not what you hear about with most expeditions.

Maegan herself made the comment, as we all sat crowded into one bedroom in our lodge at Lobuche yesterday, how unique it was to be trekking with a group of people that you enjoy so much. You get to the lodges and you all pile into the same lodge rooms to laugh and giggle together.

It's a really beautiful time as we approach Everest. Green, as I keep saying. Right now, there has been a soft rain in Gorak Shep. I can think of many, many people who have trekked to Everest Base Camp - both in the spring and later in the fall over the years - who can't imagine a soft rain at Gorak Shep. But that's exactly what I've seen here today.

Yaks are fat and healthy from a full, rich monsoon. They're well fed. I watched Steve frisking with the yaks in a pasture at Pheriche just two days ago and the animals still look healthy as they approach base camp with our loads.

Everyone's healthy, happy and having a great time. Relaxed, which I think is a key as we approach base camp and begin to prepare to climb on the lower portion of the route.

— Wally Berg, expedition leader