Hi everyone,
We have just returned from on high after spending the last three weeks trekking through the Khumbu region with multiple views of Mt Everest. We climbed to over 5000m on multiple occasions and got to a maximum of 5545m at Kala Pattar which looks out over Everest Base Camp and has one of the best views of Everest itself. None of our trekking party of 4 had any effects from the altitude which was great, but some of the food caused issues to a number of us.
Some of the highlights of the trek were:-
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The flight to Lukla. Lukla airport has one of the shortest runways in the world for commercial airlines and the landing takes nerves of steal You can only see the runway at the last minute and there is very little margin for error on the pilots behalf. Obviously we made it, and it was a great experience.
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The Renjo Pass. This was only opened up to trekkers 5 years ago and it seems to be one of the untapped secrets in the region. It was a hard 7 hour day including 900 metres up and 700 down, but we were rewarded with the best view of Everest. Its one of the few places where Everest actually looks like the highest mountain in the world.
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The food was pretty uneventful but there were some gems. The Yak steak and chips was great after a few weeks with nothing but Rice, Noodles and Momos (Dumplings). There was even a place that had vege burgers which our two American friends had for lunch and dinner on the same day.
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One of the best things we encountered was the lack of encounters. Seriously, if you ever do the trek, to in late November/early December. We had the tracks and the lodges mainly to ourselves which was a lot more enjoyable than what it would be like during October and November. This October alone 9500 people entered the area compared to the 1500 that are here in December on average. The weather may be colder, but it is just as clear. In one of the lodges, the guy who ran it was ready to leave as soon as we left. He literally chucked his stuff on the back of a couple of yaks and headed off till next season.
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During the trek hygiene was not high on the priority list so you can imagine how good the shower was when we got back to Kathmandu.
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On the very last day of the trek I turned 29. We had tried to get back to Kathmandu so head to the local steak house, but we were left stranded (literally) on the tarmac of the airport when our flight was cancelled due to heavy winds. Luckily Robyn managed to scramble together some cake and some candles which was really cool as it was a great way to celebrate and finish the trek in style.
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Yaks. They are some of the coolest and toughest animals around.
I could probably waffle on a lot more but I think the photos will speak for themselves.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone and we will post again soon.
All the best,
Glen and Robyn
The gang during the trek, Chhukhung viewpoint
The Khumbu Icefall above Everest Base Camp
The sunset from Gorak Shep
Kala Patthar, the highest point we got on the trek (5545m). Nuptse looks the highest, but Everest is the one to the left
The amazing view from the Renjo Pass
The trekking gang at the top of a side trip up to Langden Ri
A view down the Gokyo Valley
Robyn happy to reach Thame after taking a wrong turn in the morning
Touchdown at Lukla airport, one of the most amazing flights you will ever take
The spectacular Ama Dablam
An ice mushroom, Everest Base Camp
Part of the glacier at Everest Base Camp
Glen celebrates reaching Kala Patthar
One of the many frozen rivers along the way
A frozen lake as seen from the Renjo Pass
Some more spectacular scenery during the trek
Robyn taking a well deserved rest after another side trip to acclimatise
One of the thousands of Yaks we saw along the track
The gang escaping the killer winds of Chhukung Lookout
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Fantastic stuff guys. a belated happy birthday glen - “nice hat” - “i bet you get a free bowl of soup with that”. - re the Elephant soccer game. we had a similar eperience at work on level 2 from one of your relatives….. Di King popped her fit ball she sits on…. true story…
Rog - Monday, Jan 5, 2009 10:12:29