coming down from base camp

We made it to EBC!


We cannot describe our feelings of achievement, having reached Base Camp. We continued to process these feelings the next day as we climbed to Kala Pather to see the best view of Mount Everest.


we all made it!!!

It was an extremely steep climb, which was doable. However, the cold winds and extremely cold temperature and cloudy conditions prevented us getting a clear view of Mt. Everest.



But, we did manage to see the summit before it clouded over.


Mt. Everest in the background

Returning to the Tea House in Gorakshep as quickly as we could, it took some time to thaw out our fingers and water bottles. Then off we left for a five-hour trek to Pheriche. This climb was extremely difficult as it was up and down, up and down. We did not realize that climbing to Base Camp meant climbing up both ways -- there and back.


leaving EBC

Reaching Periche, we had dinner and fell into bed, all of us exhausted. It was difficult to leave the main dinning room to go to bed as the owner kept putting Yak
Dung in the stove to warm the room. Our bedrooms were frigid.

The next day, April 28th, we headed back to Namche Bazaar, another difficult six-hour walk going up and down and around the mountain. The path seemed endless at times. However, walking through the Rhododendron forests, seeing the mani stones chorten and suspension bridges across the rivers made this walk very beautiful again. Namche Bazaar was the perfect spot to have another massage from the Shepra Doctor, as we had going up to Base Camp. Our bodies were thankful for this treat following the gruelling pace and distance we had been covering.





On April 29th we leave Namche Bazaar and proceed to retrace our steps back. On April 30th, we continue to retrace our steps heading towards Lukla to catch our plane back to Kathmandu.

On April 30th we are in Lukla and we begin the celebration of our achievement. Previously, not able to have a beer, wine or alcohol, our Hotel in Lukla has an Happy Hour from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Given our group's enthusiasm, the Hotel begins the Happy Hour at 2:00 p.m. We are all very happy, having reached our goal, Lukla and had hot showers and warmer bedrooms. After much pool playing, dancing and singing, we go to bed, late that evening and the Bar closes down at 10:00 p.m.