VIRTUAL 360 Everest Trek Part 08 Kuwait Flag on Ama Dablam
Join our virtual trek to the south side of Mount Everest and the top of Kala Patthar, in immersive 360 VR video, with this limited series from Jon Miller and The Rest of Everest! In Part 08 we make our way to Dingboche and watch the Kuwait flag as it unfurls atop Ama Dablam.
View the playlist of this VR trek! • 360 VR Trek
Rivendell was fantastic but the high peaks are calling so we decided to head up to Dingboche and a beautiful day fo trekking through this beautiful region. We were witness to several breathtaking events on this day.
First, Tenjing and I watched (with some horror) as a visitor on horseback made a very questionable crossing of a high suspension bridge with the goal of heading further up the trail towards Dingboche. He was a large man and the horse was obviously straining under his weight. We held our breath as he crossed the bridge hoping the horse wouldn't pitch him over the cable railing down into the river below. He made it--but the horse refused to take him much higher and only a few minutes later we saw him walking downhill alongside the relieved horse.
Next, at lunch in Somare, the rumors of a Kuwait flag that was to be draped from the summit of Ama Dablam were confirmed. We watched in awe as the ENORMOUS flag was unfurled and a helicopter circled the summit, presumably to film the achievement. This was a highly controversial endeavor. It was the first Kuwaiti Team to summit Ama Dablam--that part was not controversial and was a wonderful achievement. Flying the huge 100m by 30m flag from the summit of such a revered mountain was frowned upon by many. They removed the flag shortly afterward and however you feel about the unfurling...it must have been a herculean effort to pull it off.
Lastly, as I crossed the ridge overlooking the village of Dingboche I was shocked to see how large it had grown in the past decade since I was last there. I was expecting a tiny town of just a few larger teahouses but was shocked to see so much new construction. I just wasn't expecting that kind of growth for a village at this altitude - 4410m or 14,470 feet and above the treeline. As I descended into town I was reminded of many wonderful memories of team birthday celebrations we had back in 2009. check out the 2009 Series to reminisce with me! • Season 4: Everest South Side Trek 2009
I couldn't stop smiling. It was a full, rich day!
Jon Miller
September 13, 2020
While you can absolutely enjoy this series on a mobile phone or computer, for the most “you are there” immersive experience I HIGHLY recommend viewing the videos using a VR headset. Here are some suggestions that I own and have personally tested. They range in price from just a few bucks to a few hundred dollars. Buying them from these links will support this The Rest of Everest endeavor!
I Am Cardboard VR Box https://amzn.to/3d3CSu6
This is a fantastic entry-level VR viewer that can be used with the YouTube app on your mobile phone. I found this one to be superior to the less expensive versions that need to be assembled. This one comes ready to use and has a more thoughtful design and better user experience. Worth buying even if you only have a passing interest in VR content.
Pansonite 3D VR Glasses Virtual Reality Headset https://amzn.to/37s06ZJ
A real upgrade from Google Cardboard devices. This is a true headset and is very comfortable to use. Since you actually wear it, the experience is much more immersive yet still uses the YouTube app on your mobile phone for viewing which keeps it inexpensive. It is also far more adjustable than the Cardboard options. I’ve given a Pansonite unit to Dawa’s family for viewing these episodes!
Oculus Quest All-in-one VR Gaming Headset – 64GB https://amzn.to/2YE3oF2
Oculus Quest All-in-one VR Gaming Headset – 128GB https://amzn.to/3fnOKbN
The Oculus Quest is the best all-in-one VR headset on the market right now. Using it is like peering into the future. For viewing 360 videos it only beats the Oculus Go in terms of screen quality but if you’re interested in gaming THIS is the headset to purchase. There is NO comparison. I use an Oculus Quest connected to Adobe Premiere while I edit these episodes. Amazing device with a lot of “wow” factor.
Thanks for watching. If you’re new to The Rest of Everest, please consider checking out Episode 000 to see what this series is about and how it all started almost 20 years ago. • Episode 000 Introduction
If you’re based in Colorado, consider checking out Dawa’s Fort Collins restaurant, The Himalayan Bistro https://himalayanbistro.com