Iowa grown.
Name: Abby Burkhart
Age: 22
Hometown: Dunlap, Iowa
Area of study: Kinesiology, Pre-Med, Minor in Business
Year in school: JUST graduated last week!
I joined the Everest Base Camp Expedition because... I joined the Everest Base Camp Expedition for two reasons: to get some incredible research experience and to take advantage of an opportunity to see a new part of the world. For background, I have been fortunate enough to work with Dr. Lefferts in the Clinical Vascular Research Lab at Iowa State University for a little over a year now. I have learned so much from this experience, gaining skills in tonometry, transcranial doppler, and ultrasound. We use these skills to measure pulse wave velocity, arterial stiffness, and brain blood flow, among others. Dr. Lefferts was asked to join the Everest Base Camp Trek, and was able to bring two students, Carolyn, and myself, to learn and help collect data. I jumped at the opportunity to join the trek, because it combines two of my favorite things, science and mountains… and what better place to get both than a research trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp?
I'm involved with the SU collaborative research studies by... I am actively taking part in every research study taking place on this trek, on top of collecting our own cardiovascular data.It has been very exciting learning about so many different research opportunities, and seeing all the behind the scenes work firsthand gives me even more respect for all these incredible scientists.If I’m being honest, I was a little nervous to be in every single study, but they have all been very fun and educational.Yes, even the VO2 max tests. It has been cool to learn more about myself, and I can’t wait to see how my results change in hypoxia. We did all our baseline data the first two days in Kathmandu, and now we have a few more days before we dive back into data collection in Pheriche.
I'm most looking forward to... I am most looking forward to our first glimpse of Mt. Everest. We haven’t laid eyes on the mountain yet, but hopefully we will have good weather as we trek higher to get a good view. We traveled 40+ hours to get to Nepal and have now started our trek, so the anticipation is building.
My favorite part of the trip so far has been... Today was my favorite part of the trip so far. Exploring Kathmandu was still enjoyable, but nothing compares to a beautiful mountain view in my opinion. I was not sure what to expect, but the shear size of these mountains is hard to wrap my head around (and we haven’t even gotten to the big ones yet). Not only that, but the small towns and villages that we have walked through have all been very cool and friendly.
The worst part of the trip so far... I have enjoyed every second on this trip so far, but the worst part of the trip would have to be my lungs after today. I can tell we did a lot of walking at a higher altitude. My body doesn’t feel super sore, but I don’t think my lungs are prepared for this environment. Hopefully with some acclimatization and a slower trekking pace, they will feel better quickly.
One thing most people don't know about me... One thing that people don’t know about me is that this is my first time on this side of the earth!I have not traveled out of the United States very often, so this is a big step for me. It is crazy to see how different life can be in different parts of the world, and I am loving learning about the Nepalese culture. One thing I am learning (or trying to learn) is bartering for purchases. Almost everything in Kathmandu can be negotiated, which has been a learning curve for me, ha! This trip has already made me more excited to travel, and I hope to knock a few more places off my bucket list in the next few years.
Daily Recap
Today, we did lots of trekking to make up for our missed hours from yesterday. We couldn’t fly into Lukla as early as we had hoped (too low of cloud coverage), so we had to make up some extra hours of trekking today. We departed Phakding a little before 8 am, and trekked until around 2:30 pm arriving in Namche, where we will stay for the next day. This trek included a stop for lunch, which was a beautiful little restaurant in Monju. We even had a surprise visitor, when one of the yaks decided they wanted to check out the restaurant patio, too.
In terms of the trekking, I know we are just starting our mountain journey, but holy cow was I blown away. Thankfully we had fewer clouds than yesterday, so we got to see some incredible mountains. We got to go over a lot of suspension bridges, which was one of the most exciting parts of the day. Not only did they provide incredible views, but they added a little excitement with how much they bounced after adding the weight of all us trekkers. Today has made me even more excited for the rest of the trek, as I have been told the beauty only gets better from here. I am definitely tired from all the trekking, but all in all it was a great day.
Once in Namche, we explored a local coffee shop, and Carolyn and I got carrot cake and vanilla lattes. I don’t know if it’s the altitude or caffeine withdrawals or the skills of the barista, but that was the most amazing latte I have ever had. After the coffee shop, we went back to the hotel and I got to take a HOT shower in a full bathroom… life changing, to say the least.
Talia, you will be happy to know I am expanding my palate and trying lots of new foods. No, I am not going to starve :) . Also, Mom and Dad, appreciate that I am trying my hardest not to send every dog I see home to Dunlap. Love you bunches!
PS. Sorry for the delay, we had some challenges with internet!
Sure am enjoying reading about all your exploits and wishing I were a college student again to join in ( but not to go back to studying and exams🤪)! 😊