5.52 miles
2,146 feet elevation
2,146 feet elevation
We were greeted this morning with a fresh layer of snow that had fallen over night -- happily it soon melted. The weather continues to be cold — not sure how cold since we haven't had WiFi or cell data for a couple of days, but definitely cold enough that brushing your teeth in the outside courtyard is a bone-chilling experience.
We started out today like we did yesterday but climbing over the ridge below which sits Dingboche. But on top, instead of turning right and climbing the mountain, we went straight and continued across a long narrow glacier carved valley. Trees are long gone and the valley only has low juniper bushes, scrub grass and rocks — mostly rocks. As we walked along the side of the valley we passed above Pheriche where we will sleep in three nights once we are on our way down. For some reason today there was a lot of helicopter traffic going up to base camp, hopefully everyone there is ok.
After a couple of hours of slowing working our way through the valley we crossed the stream and scrambled our way up to Thokla where we had lunch.
Thokla is just a couple of tea houses that sit just below the pass that leads the way to Lobuche. So after lunch we headed up over what would be our one serious climb today. After about 35 minutes, we reached the top where we found a small protected area that was filled with memorials for climbers that had died on Everest. It was sobering so see how many of these memorials that there were, particularly how many were from just the past couple of years. 2014 and 2015 were truly deadly years on Mt Everest.
 |
| Kara crossing a stream of glacial runoff |
Thokla is just a couple of tea houses that sit just below the pass that leads the way to Lobuche. So after lunch we headed up over what would be our one serious climb today. After about 35 minutes, we reached the top where we found a small protected area that was filled with memorials for climbers that had died on Everest. It was sobering so see how many of these memorials that there were, particularly how many were from just the past couple of years. 2014 and 2015 were truly deadly years on Mt Everest.
 |
| Monuments to fallen climbers |
While taking a small break, it started to snow. It felt somehow appropriate to be hiking in the snow as we continued onward for about an hour until we arrived at Lobuche. Everyone did really well today. It was a tiring day but not particularly difficult. Beyond a few sniffling noses and dealing with the cold we are feeling great and our spirits are high.
 |
| Descending Thokla pass on our way to Lobuche |
Oxygen and heart rate measurements:
Seth — 72/65
Kara — 78/90
Grace — 60/101
Kate — 77/124
Cannon — 78/120
Tomorrow we will head up to Everest Base Camp and then descent to Gorak Shep to sleep. Hard to believe that we are this close.
No comments:
Post a Comment