Before anyone starts climbing the icefall a Lama comes to base camp and conducts a Puja (click for video). I am sure all the expeditions will report on their experiences because it is one the the most memorable and impactful events of climbing in the Himalayas. Some expeditions have already had several Pujas but the one at base camp has the most impact. This is one of the only times where all the Sherpas, cooks, guides, climbers and trekkers are all together.

I remember my first Puja at base camp and reported it like this in 2002 "... In the center of each camp is a stone alter about 5 feet high with an 8 foot wooden pole rising from the center. From the top of this pole prayer flags are strung in 7 (always an odd number) different directions covering all the tents in our camp. It was at this alter that we had our Puja on Wednesday morning. A Lama walked in from a nearby village to perform the blessing for all our safety on the mountain. We placed our climbing tools against the alter. It was a very special event. Fir boughs are burned covering the camp in a dense smoke while the Lama, our Sidar and Climbing Sidar chant prayers. Occasionally, rice is thrown into the air. Everyone involved in our expedition attends the Puja and takes the ceremony very seriously."

The following year and on Ama Dablam and Cho Oyu it was the same and yet different. It was during the Puja that it became clear to me that climbing in Nepal was special in many way but the most was the spiritual aspect and the influence of the Sherpas, Lamas and all the Nepalese people. It was a feeling and a lesson I have never forgotten.