Heading up to Base Camp from Dingboche.

We are on our fourth day of the trek up to Base Camp in Namche Bazaar. It is the last stop of civilization before we get to Base Camp. We are at 3600 metres. Some people have turned back experiencing altitude sickness. We are fine. I guess our training on Baden Hill are paying off.

The food is great. However, we are now vegetarian, as we have been advised not to eat meat or drink beer or alcohol. We brought a huge chocolate bar to have and share when we reach Base Camp.

We are in Dingboche. Internet is 30 cents a minute. In three days we will be at Base Camp. Feeling fine at 4400 metres. We will find it difficult to write at this point until we return to Kathmandu on May 1st.

Dingboche 27°53′N 86°49′E is a village in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal in the Chukhung Valley. Situated at an altitude of about 4,530 metres (14,800 ft), Dingboche is a popular stop for trekkers and climbers headed to Mount Everest, Ama Dablam or Imja Tse. Parties will typically spend two nights in Dingboche for acclimatization purposes. The village relies heavily on tourists with lodges and tenting areas comprising most of Dingboche. The Imja River flows directly east of the village.

We are noticing that as we proceeded higher and closer to our goal of reaching Base Camp, the food is becoming more expensive. The cost of water has risen from 200 rupes to 500 rupes. We spend two nights in Dingboche acclimatizating to the altitude. Our Guide tested the group by taking us out for a trek up to 5,000m. in preparation for Base Camp. We all passed 'the test'.