Larry Weinberg has been a member of CONC since 2005, when he retired from his job at Boeing and left the Seattle area for Bend. While he modestly describes himself as “more of a hiker than a skier” this 80 year old is a dedicated hiker extraordinaire. In October he will be taking off for a very big (and I mean Himalayan-sized big) hiking adventure in Nepal.
Hi Larry. Could you tell us a little more about the trek you are planning?
I will be doing the Makalu Base Camp trek, (Makalu is near Everest as the crow flies) but not going all the way to the base camp. The trek will take about 20 days, and the highest elevation I will reach will be 14,600. I will hike 4 to 7 hours a day, with lots of elevation gain and loss on many days.The total elevation gain will be between 20,000 to 25,000 feet. I will be traveling with a guide and a porter, carrying a day pack and staying at small family hotels along the way. The trails themselves are not that difficult, but these are some BIG mountains, and the higher the altitude, the less distance you can cover. You also see many Nepalese traveling on these routes between towns with yak and mule trains, carrying supplies and doing business. For photos and more information about the Makalu trek, go to Third Rock Adventures.
What was your motivation for undertaking a demanding trek like this?
Well, one aspect of this trip was that I want to challenge myself physically at the age of 80. However, the most meaningful part of the trip for me will be visiting some of the projects supported by the local non-profit group Ten Friends, which is based in Sisters. I joined this group after my first trip to Nepal, and I am currently a board member. I will be visiting an orphanage in Kathmandu, a school for girls called the Himalayan Education Center in Khandbari, and the opening of a library in the small village of Khokatek. The library visit will be very special as I raised money for this project, including many donations from CONC members, and the library will be dedicated to my parents, my brother, and a Nepalese individual. The library is located inside an elementary school, but is available for anyone in the village to use.
How did you train for this trek?
I’ve never really stopped training… I visited Rocky Mountain National Park in 2022 to do some high elevation hiking up to 13,000 feet, and when I could handle that I began to make plans for the trip. I’ve hiked Black Crater and Tumalo Mountain multiple times this summer, and also worked with a physical therapist on a specialized treadmill so I could do 3,000 to 6,000 feet of elevation gain. Some cortisone in my knee is also helping. My plan is to set a slow and steady pace, or “pole pole” (pronounced pullee pullee) which is what the guides said when I climbed Kilimanjaro. It means “go slow.”. It might take a little longer, but I will get there!
Good luck to you Larry, and we look forward to hearing about your experiences when you return!
