After organizing a wonderful group, we arrived in Kathmandu and got our land legs and jet lag dealt with.
 |
| Lukla Airport |
A flight to Lukla from Kathmandu is an experience most of us will remember for a long time. We began trekking to Monjo overnight in Phakding.
 |
| The Hillary bridge |
 |
| Namche Bazaar |
 |
| Ama Dablam - my favorite mountain |
The next day was up and up to Namche Bazaar. We stayed 2 nights to acclimatize and then on to Tengboche and wonderful views of Ama Dablam. The altitude was felt by everyone but taking it easy, not rushing the hike, drinking lots of water was super helpful for everyone to keep healthy. Diamox is also helpful for aiding the body to adjust to altitude.
 |
| Trail to Dingboche |
 |
| Dingboche |
 |
| Tengboche monastery |
 |
| First views of Mt Everest and Lhotse |
On to Dingboche and beautiful village above 4000m and another rest day to acclimatize. Many groups are rushed through the overall trek and get sick easily. And the legs are working very hard and the body adjusting to different temperatures and diet. Some nights are rather restless as the body gets used to the lower oxygen levels.
 |
Looking to the Khumbu Icefall
|
Kala Pattar - 'black rock' actually brown
|
|
 |
| Myself at 5300m on Kala Pattar |
Once we get higher to Dughla, the climbers memorials, we are so close.
 |
Dughla - climber memorials
|
Arriving in Gorak Shep (5200m), the last tea house before Everest Base Camp. We have 2 nights here, one day to hike to a small trekking peak called Kala Pattar (5545m) and the next day on to EBC itself at 5364m.
 |
| Village of Gorak Shep, hill Kala Pattar and Pumori |
This is a very challenging trek with altitude, numbers of people, dealing with cold nights and the physical and mental effort, but in the end it is satisfying!
