Catch me if you can On the way back to Lukla the path kept going up and down. We and the French group kept overtaking one another along the way as either team decided to have a break or not. Being a smaller group we were much faster but stopped for longer times to enjoy the scenery. Beer. Rum. Meat. All is good.
Nepal Day 19
I have no idea where we are. Not that I actually knew where we were exactly before. But I didn’t even get the name of the place. If it has one. We stopped at a small lodge on the side of the road with a river down the cliff. There was another group staying for the night. French people too. They had their farewell party with their team that evening
Nepal Day 18
The big drop: Chunkung (4750m) to Tengboche (3840m) We descended about 1000m in one go and I could feel the difference of lowering our altitude: No more pause needed. We visited the Buddist minastry but unfortunately there was no ceremony that day.
Nepal Day 17
Chukung Ri (5546m) Going up Chukung Ri was not difficult and the view was breathtaking. (even after my recovery pause ;) We could enjoy Ama Dablam and the valley which a clear view. At diner, we stayed away from the mandatory Dal Bath. We will now be on our way back and keep going down. It is still too high to drink beer safely but a little meat won’t hurt and they had fresh one.
Nepal Day 16
Chukkung (4730m) We went back up a bit to Chunkung so that tomorrow we could climb the Chukung Ri if the weather permits. Right now it is getting cold and snowing a bit. We are the only guests in the lodge so I thought it would be a bit boring but there’s this cute 3 year old girl playing around and she’s so funny to watch. There’s also a horse just outside the bedroom which was unexpected.
Nepal Day 15
Don’t look now but something is following us… We changed our itinary a bit and walked to Timbuche (or something like that) This was an easy walk and we had some unexpected company for a good while: two dogs. They followed us out of Lobuche and almost to the end of our day trip. Superb view of Ama Dablam Superb feeling of a much appreciate shower at the lodge.
Nepal Day 14
Kala Pattar (5600m) We climbed Kala Patar all the way up. It is not technical or difficult but the altitude is against you. So I made several pauses to recover. Slow and stready. The view at the top is amazing and really worth the effort. Going back down was easy. We cross the path of other trekers who were travelling with their dog. The mutt didn’t seem to mind so much.
Nepal Day 13
Gorak Shep (5164m) Walk difficulty: medium While I was upstairs unpacking, the guide ordered me vegetable fried rice for lunch. I was very annoyed by that and told him. I know he meant well and considering my gluten intolerant diet, my choices are limited. But I really wished I could have looked at the menu and seek something else. I’d been having vegetable fried rice for almost every meal (including breakfast) for a few days now
Nepal Day 12
Lobuche (4940m) and a reminder to listen to your body and instructions… This walk was easy compared to yesterday. I suppose I had a good rest too. Then again, when there was a little climb I could feel the burn and as I noticed a couple of days ago, I now need to stop a minute to recover. If that’s the new normal and nothng worth than that it’ll be very manageable
Nepal Day 11
The real test: Cho La pass (5350m) Right before climbing I was sick and had diarrhea which surely didn’t help. I can’t see what I ate last night or for breakfast but that didn’t work for me obviously. So with most of my energy gone already, this was extremely difficult and I was out of breath most of the time during the climb and descent. Of course this was a pass crossing day so the ascent was steep and long.