Starting from Dingboche, crossing the Nangkartshang Gompa and down to the Labouche Khola valley, it was a veeeeeeeeeeryyyyy long and slow climb along the valley. Outstanding views of Taboche and Cholatse will accompany you all the way (I couldn't care less anymore as I'm starting to feel tired). Some trekkers will take the Periche (4270 m) trek through the village of Pulaji Khala (4343 m) which run parallel with the one we're taking. We stopped for a while at the village of Dusa (4503 m) to catch our breath and had some dates (Dates really helps to act as a supplement and as an immediate booster to gain energy besides power gel). This trek was like a never-ending route to hell..! After four hours of cursing and babbling to myself..we reached Dughla/Thokla (4620 m) for lunch. I realized that the trek was mentally challenging. Or maybe I'm starting to feel the lack of oxygen in my body? or am I hallucinating? Ok..I need to do something about it. During lunchtime I was pulling myself together and telling myself "look..you are already more than half way reaching the EBC..don't let this emotional and mental sh*t f**k everything up..! Just buckle up and go..okay..!"
Our room at the tea house.
Nangkartshang Gompa Stupa.
Labouche Khola.
The village of Dusa.
The never ending valley..!!!
Dughla/Thokla.
Dhukla + Thukla Yak Lodge & Restaurant.
From Dughla the trek goes directly up and full of loose gravel. With 55% oxygen rate at this height, climbing starting to become 'no fun at all'. About one and half hour later we reached Thokla Pass (4830 m); a desolated path at the top of the ridge full of memorials to lost climbers and sherpas. That eerie feeling can be felt at the same time reminding me or anybody passing that this trek either to the base camp or to the summit is a 'no joke' thingy. If I'm not mistaken, the biggest memorial there commemorates Babu Chiri Sherpa and the obvious one, Scott Fischer.
Leaving Dughla/Thokla behind.
At the Babu Chiri Sherpa memorial, Thokla Pass.
Panoramic view of Thokla Pass.
Ama Dablam appears as a perfect pyramid in the background.
Khumbu Glacier.
Labouche Base camp.
It's -10 Degree Celsius here at the Khumbu Glacier.
Along the treacherous Khumbu Glacier.
About 45 minutes later, we were walking down along the starting of Khumbu Glacier. The temperature was about -10 Degree Celsius plus wind factor about -17 Degree Celsius (see the temperature here) at that time!! We can see yellow tents at the Labouche Base Camp. Further up, there's a big boulder painted with 'Labouche 30 minutes'. Yea right..Around 5:30 pm we reached Labouche (4910 m).
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