Everest's first conqueror died

this map you can find here click on the map to see it bigger







photo from Telegraph.co.uk click on the link to watch the video

One of the 20th century's greatest adventurers (GMANnews), 88 years old Sir Edmund Hillary, one of 2 (the other was Sherpa Tenzing Norgay) officially recognized first persons stand on the summit of Everest on May 29, 1953, died.

The best-known New Zealander wrote about this adventure:

"Another few weary steps and there was nothing above us but the sky. There was no false cornice, no final pinnacle. We were standing together on the summit. There was enough space for about six people. We had conquered Everest."
"I removed my oxygen mask to take some pictures. It wasn't enough just to get to the top. We had to get back with the evidence. Fifteen minutes later we began the descent." (source)

12 pictures about that adventure

The world's highest peak has 8850 m

These courageous climbers ascended through to the South Col from the Khumbu Glacier, and continued their ascent to the summit via the Southeast ridge. Their route is now referred to as the Normal Route (quote and photo of Everest)

And here more:
Absolutely incredible panoramic photo view from the top of Everest click on the photo there and pull it right or left

Strange Snow Antics

A weird thing happened yesterday, and from what I read, it didn't just happen here on Gunflint Lake. The radar was showing that snow was falling for quite a while in the morning, but it never made it to the ground. I read something about snow falling in to dry air, and that it might make it to us, but it never did. It was certainly a disappointment, as we all were looking forward to a freshening up on the trails. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that the same thing had happened there. I figured that maybe this was nature's payback for all of those times I have seen snow come down when it is neither predicted, nor on the radar map.

Today when I got up, it was snowing a little, so I checked the radar. This time, it wasn't showing anything. Strange! The snow continued, and Greg and I went for a walk. I said to him that maybe we were finally receiving all of the snow that had fallen yesterday---perhaps it had been trapped in the "dry air" and was finally set free. But when I got home, I saw that the weather map had been upgraded, and indeed, the map and the actual happenings did jive. The best news, however, is that it has continued to snow all day, and we are starting to see it pile up. I was expecting an inch at best, but it must be at least two by now. Greg is out plowing the road to the point, and soon will be in to verify my guess. The Plowguy says it is a "couple-three" inches---that translates to two or so in some places, and three in others. This will improve the ski trails quite a bit.

While we were on our walk, I enjoyed checking out all of the animal tracks in the new snow. The fox had been through, as usual. The string of pawprints looked just like someone had laid a necklace of beads in the snow. Then we came upon some snowshoe hare tracks. These were fun to investigate, not only for their size, but also for the crazy path that the hare had followed. Soon I saw some squirrel tracks, small but sharply defined. Those red squirrels are so busy all year long, running here and there. When one dodges in to the road ahead of us, if we are driving, we will slow down and try to go by after he/she has either crossed or turned back. Eventually, the snowplow came along, and so that changed the track watching. I tend to look down when walking in the winter, just to be sure of my footing. I observed how the snow spit back from the tires, and sometimes even left minute hairline tracks as it rolled across the surface. That is similar to a mouse's track, but without the footprints. And as usual, I saw deer tracks, and even watched a doe in the woods just a few feet off the road. She stared at me, too, but must have felt safe enough with the few balsam trees between us. Every other morning this week that we went walking, I carried my camera, but never saw anything to photograph. Today I left it home, and of course I could have used it.

A couple of nights ago we were treated to the Northwoods "music" that I like best---the wolves were howling. Such a magnificent chorus to hear again! They were not far away, but since the sound carries so well, it is hard to pinpoint direction sometimes. I saw two wolves last week, out on the ice, right in front of the lodge. They looked to be younger ones, as they were not as large as some we have seen. They were headed west, so I ran to the ice to see if there was more excitement. One had already reached land, and the other was following, just past the shore in front of Sharlene's cabin. I haven't seen any deerkills yet, but the wolves must be busy with that, as it is their main food source.

More music this weekend---Paul and his Trail's End band buddies are back at the Tavern for more good times. We'll be there--stop by if you can!

New penality for smokers in Thailand

This map you can find here
I wrote about Thailand some days ago and here is
an other interesting notice from this country.

Specially interesting for smokers.
Don't smoke in bars, open markets and nights from 17 of February! It will cost you 68 dollars of penality. It will be valid for all closed places too.
This is the difference: befor smoking was forbidden in closed places where persons eat only. The health minister of Thailand said: it will be very healthy for all visitors of all these places and for those who works there.

This country is a very interesting for tourists from all the world in the last period but sometimes happen bad surprises to unprepared persons. There are notices that some tourists finished in a prison in Thailand. So be carful to respect new laws too.

Hookah, the waterpipe

Hookah has different names in different countries. Nargile, shisha, waterpipe, hubble-bubble, ecc. One Pakistan dictionary says "huqqa" means in persian language "a little pot for incense and jewels".

In a village not far from us opened one italian, turned from Egypt, a little kebab-shop. He told me about something, I could not understand what it was. Only when he took the pipe in the shop was clear: we speak about the same thing.

This waterpipe device for smoking is used to smoke herbal fruits too, but the main is tobacco. Some persons say it's not dangerous to smoke hookah, at least not so dangerous as to smoke cigarettes. Egyptian researchers (physicians and engineers) were intrested to control it and here are the results:

1/ if you smoke 25 g of shisha they are equal to 60 cigarettes = 3 packs
2/ the t� of the moke is 450�C and when it passes through the pipe has not time to become cold
3/ to inhale 500-600 cub. cm of this smoke makes the lungs less flexible, they become bigger and do not work efficiently

But the hookah smokers do not want to accept these results. They say, it's enough to see on the towel after you smoke a cigarett and hookah to notice the difference.

Because it becomes more and more popular in Europe and America, the interested organisations think this research's results will help in the battle contro the hookah smoking.

Sources:
Hookah (photo)
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Hookah lounge

January at Heston's

January came in with moderate temperatures and just a bit of a west wind as we enjoyed our annual bonfire. The stars were out briefly, and then the clouds rolled in and carried a few snowflakes to us. We were with our wonderful group of friends and neighbors that have joined us for so many of the previous New Year's festivities, as we bid farewell to 2007 and welcomed all that 2008 has in store for us.

We had started the evening with a buffet dinner from places I had never traveled to, let alone eaten the foods: Lebanese, Turkish, Syrian--just a few of the ethnicities we visited on our culinary tour. With much help from an excellent and experienced team, we hosted about sixty people for dinner that night. From Chicken with Pomegranate Molasses to Kebobs with Baharat seasoning, to tabouli and a bread called Manaaeesh, it was quite a feast. I don't think anyone left hungry, especially if they stopped by the dessert table, too. In addition to several plates of delicious cookies and holiday treats, Addie and Sophie came up with some spectacular offerings, most notable a pear tiramisu, and a peppermint ice cream cake. It was difficult to get by the dessert buffet, as some folks chose just to hang out right next to it. Can't say that I blame them!

Once dinner was over, our good friend Jim teamed up with Addie, Paul, Nic, and our neighbors Samuel, Erik and Hannah for some music. Sophie and her mom, Elizabeth, also participated. The music ranged from classical, with flute and piano, to jazz and rock, with guitars, saxophone and trumpet. Following the performances, we had a sing-a-long, with Jim on the guitar, and lively voices from the audience. I saw smiles and fun all around me. Many thanks to all who played and sang--the rest of us sure enjoyed it.

Sometimes I am a bit sad to see a year go by, but I have to admit that it was not the case this time around. 2007 sure had a way about it that didn't always make it lovable. Right out of the gate, it brought challenges, with the passing of Grandma Peggy in January, the fire in May (and the aftermath), and then all the rain in the fall. We were definitely grateful for all of that moisture that came down, but it really kept us hopping as far as securing boats and docks. As ever, we made it through, and are no worse for the wear. If there is just one thing that I can hope for in this new year, it is that life is calmer......I've seen articles in the newspaper about different groups choosing a word for the previous year. I think that I will choose the word calm for 2008.

Over the past weekend, January decided to do its thaw. I remember as a kid having a January thaw, and so it's somewhat expected. The temps climbed towards the lower thirties in the last four days, but for the most part, we have been fortunate here on the Trail. Despite the predictions, we haven't seen drizzle, and the sun has been hiding, too. The snow has softened up, and we have lost some, but not near as much as other places I have been hearing about. Earlier today, we had some new snowflakes falling, and the forecast has more predicted for the next couple of days. The temperatures are supposed to go down, and so we should be back to more normal patterns for this time of year.

Lake trout fishing opens on Saturday for the lakes outside of the BWCA--that includes Gunflint Lake. For the most part, it seems that the slush is clearing up. Last night it was mild enough to have our bedroom window open about a half-inch, and the lake was making all the right sounds for more ice. Sometimes it booms and cracks, other times it just sounds like odd instruments tuning up. My favorite is when it makes noises that sound like something straight out of an outer space themed movie. The thickest ice we've heard about is around twelve inches. When Paul punched the sauna hole, he found nine inches.

Speaking of Paul, he is soon to be facing his first challenge of the new year. He will be leaving next week for Morris, Minnesota, where he will start his first semester in college. We'll miss him like the dickens, but are very happy for him to have this opportunity. College life will be very different from homeschooling in the woods of the Gunflint Trail, but I think it will suit him well. Only Addie will be left at home.....she can already see all of the work lined up for her!

The King of Thailand

I could never imagin the citizens of Thailand love their king sooo much.
These are notices about the events of december, when the king has his birthday.

First of all who is he?
King Bhumibol (Phumiphon) Adulyadej, Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America on 5 december 1927, is on the thron from 1946 and with 60 years of this work (in 2006) is the longest serving monarch in the world. In this period there were 21 prime-ministers and 15 constitutions in Thailand.
This year was his 80 birthday.
He has no constitutional power but is the most powerful person in the country.
His "names" are The Father of the Nation, The National Godhead, The Lord of the Lands, The Soul of the Nation, The Possessor of the Four and Twenty Golden Umbrellas.

In october the king was ill and passed 3 weeks in a hospital. When he went out he weared rose clothes because astrologists said to him this colour is the best for his health in this period. From that day there is a stock-jobbing in the country. Everybody wants to wear rose shirt.

From 2006s many persons wear yellow clothes mondays because the king's birthday was monday and yellow was his colour of that year.

The birthday of the king (December 5th) is national feast. On this days all shops, bars, places for entertainment and massage are clothed. Sex and alcohol are forbidden. There were many interesting manifestations like Festival of sand sculpturs and Pattaya International Balloon Fiesta 2007 where one of the presents for king was a fantastic Cake Balloon, Elephant balloon ecc.

Sources:
BBC News (photo)
http://www.soravij.com/rama9.html
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Pattaya International Balloon Fiesta 2007 (photo)

The Mill Adventure Centre

If you are after exercise and don't want to go out in the winter this is a great place to get it. The Mill has been open for over a year now but this was our first visit. Although it calls itself an adventure centre it is really only a climbing centre with about ten fixed ropes, a traversing wall and several routes for lead climbing. It also has a bouldering room. But it does boast the fact that it is the largest indoor climbing wall in Devon.

We confined ourselves to about six of the ropes, as the other routes looked far too difficult. The holds are colour coded and the routes graded so you can make it as difficult or easy as you want. It wasn't too busy today and once the kids got the hang of it they were well away, going up some routes four or five times. They also loved the bouldering room. We never had to wait for a rope and even recieved some free tutition from one of the instructors.

You do have to be an experienced climber to just walk in off the street and use the place though. We signed up as members, which costs nothing and then we were in, but if you are a complete novice you have to book a session with an instructor in advance. And when I say experienced, I don't mean very experienced, just as long as you can tie a figure of eight and know how to belay, which is good cos that about all I can manage!

Entrance cost �7.50 for adults and �5 for children and you can stay as long as you like. If you are not climbing, just belaying, then you don't have to pay at all - also good, as the larger, more unfit, one of us (mentioning no names), decided HE wasn't going to climb! There's a nice cafe, which serves home-made food at a reasonable price and is in the same room as the wall so you can sit and watch other people exerting themselves whilst enjoying a nice rest. We had fun and the kids want to go again, so definately one to recommend to all you budding climbers out there.