Today dawned bright and clear with the first decent view of Everest. Within view was Ama Dablam, probably the most beautiful mountain in the world; Nuptse, part of the Everest massif: Lhotse the third highest; and a score of lesser peaks. It is hard for me not to think about the awesome handiwork of God when I see these mountains. I know it is all plate tectonics and massive geological forces and to mention a Divine Creator is now seen by many as quaint. Well personally I think modern science has almost become like a religion especially the theoretical sciences. Modern science has developed its own clergy (scientist), clerical garb (the Lab Coat), and pseudo-martyrs (Copernicus and Galileo). Apostates to the “faith” i.e. the recent global warming skeptics are treated, career wise at least for now, with a vengeance Torquemada would be proud of. One “scientist” actually suggested global warming doubters might one day be arrested for crimes against “earth”. The reality is theoretical scientists’ beliefs, especially in the area of quantum and astrophysics are more ideas than provable fact – just like mine. The difference is I call mine faith and have no need to prove it to anyone.

If I do have a philosophy it is based on the concept of Entropy. Entropy says that without intelligent intervention chaos descends from order not order from chaos. For example if I find a watch on the trail it is reasonable to assume it was assembled from a multitude of smaller parts by a skilled craftsman. On the other hand it can descend to chaos with only a yak’s (one of the dumbest animals on earth) intervention. So much for my soap box.

It was a spectacular day and we have pulled into Pheriche at about 14,000 feet. That is almost as high as anywhere in the lower continental US. We have decided to spend an extra day here. This is in accordance with my other philosophy “no hurry chicken curry”.