Ultimate Everest 20th Oct 18

Ultimate Everest Base Camp Trek

Departed 20th October 2018

Leader: Dave Pritt

7th November

A few days’ walking down from Gorak Shep through the Khumbu brings us down to Namche Bazaar and on to Lukla, our final night in the mountains.

3rd November

Congratulations to the team on reaching Everest Base Camp!

2nd November

Everyone has arrived at the lodge in Lobuche, a bustling village high up in the main Everest valley, now just a day and a half’s walk from Everest Base Camp itself.

1st November

Today the group all crossed the Cho La on a long tiring day. The top of the pass is 5420m so it is a good hike up from the Gokyo valley, up and over to Dzongla, where we get fantastic views to Ama Dablam, Cholatse and on to the main valley.  Tomorrow we head for Lobuche, our first stop on the main Khumbu trail.

31st October

Here’s the view crossing the Ngozumpa glacier with the magnificent Cholatse ahead. The trail from Gokyo weaves its way across the glacier to the morraine on the far side before reaching Dragnag which sits at the foot of the pass. Tomorrow we set off at 5.30am to cross the Cho La, the longest trekking day approx 8-10hrs.

30th October

The group all made it up Gokyo Ri (5340m) to see spectacular views out to Everest, Cho Oyu and Makalu. Tomorrow’s route could be clearly seen across the Ngozumpa glacier that leads to the Cho La pass. Everyone is heading to the bakery this afternoon.

29th October

Our team are now at Gokyo where they are spending the day admiring the wonderful uninterrupted lake views from their tea house and possibly indulging in Gokyo’s famous bakery’s finest donuts or apple pastries. Tomorrow they plan to climb Gokyo Ri, the peak just above the village at 5340m. The weather has been sunny in the mornings with cloud building up in the afternoons – typical weather in the Khumbu and perfect for trekking as we can make the most of the clear mornings.

Over the weekend they trekked up the Gokyo valley stopping at the village of Machermo for a couple of nights, where the International Porter Protection Group run a porter shelter and rescue post. They run daily altitude talks and our group popped in to meet the British team of doctors and volunteers running the post this season. See www.ippg.net for more info.

24th October

The team have had a great few days trekking and have now reached Namche Bazaar (3450m), and are having an acclimatisation day today. This photo is taken at the visitor’s centre in Namche next to Tenzing Norgay’s memorial, with stunning views up to Ama Dablam and Everest.