Everest Base Camp Trekking Day 08 - Labouche to Gorakshep

Our morning started with an evacuation by one of the hikers suffering hypothermia due to the extreme cold weather yesterday. We continue our mission by trekking and gradually climbing along the Khumbu Glacier with the marvellous view of Pumori (7165 m) ahead and Nuptse (7861 m) on the North-East.

 Pumori Peak.

 Nuptse.

 Everest jet stream behind Nuptse.

About two hours later we reached the desolated Labouche Pass (5110 m) and further on started to cross the Changri Shar Glacier moraine. It was snowing and the trek was covered with ice. Pasang and Dorje have to ensure that every step is secure and not to step on the soft, thin ice. Otherwise we will end up in the glacier below. Around 1:30 pm we safely reached Gorakshep (5140 m) with Kala Patthar (5545 m) overlooking it.

 Memorial of the fallen.

 The Himalayan Snow Cock. In this case, a male bird..oh-kay..?

Gorakshep.

 Nuptse.

 Kala Patthar with Pumori behind.

Onze (left) has climbed Mount Everest 8 times..! 

Everest Base Camp Trekking Day 07 - Dingboche to Labouche

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).

Everest Base Camp Trekking Day 06 - Dingboche (Acclimatization Day)

This is the second of the mandatory acclimatization days on this trek. It was quite a hard trail where we have to do lots of climbing. I'm all set with my Salomon Wings Sky GTX2 hiking shoes and my triclimate jacket (I sense it's gonna be a very cold day). It's the 400 m climb to Nangkartshang Gompa and higher to a point where a white flag mark the acceptable acclimatization level. From these height, we can see Dingboche village down there on the East side and on the West side, the view of Khumbu Kola Valley, Taboche (6367 m), Cholatse (6335 m) and blurry view of Arakam Tse (6423 m) peak was breathtaking.

 My room window.

 View of Dingboche.

Dawam stopped to catch his breath.

While we were descending from acclimatization point, without warning blizzard struck causing blowing snow that results in low visibility. The porters called it ground blizzard. Ground blizzard refers to a weather condition where loose snow or ice on the ground is lifted and blown by strong winds. The primary difference between a ground blizzard as opposed to a regular blizzard is that in a ground blizzard no precipitation is produced at the time, but rather all the precipitation is already present in the form of snow or ice at the surface. It was violent and very cold! Thank God I brought the triclimate jacket and wearing my Salomon shoes.

 Dawam (on the left) with Dorje and Pasang Sherpa.

 Dayummm..I looked fat!

 The Taboche (on the left, hidden by clouds) and Cholatse peak.

 Khumbu Kola Valley.

"We have to rush down now honey...the snow storm is cominggg..."

 We were up there when the blizzard struck.

 My two lovely but strong sisters.