Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
I did it 5364m to Everest Base Camp!
Today we got an early start and left Lobuche at 4900m for Gorak Shep at 5180m (doesn't sound like much but to your body it feels like it's way higher) where we were going to quickly drop off our stuff grab a quick lunch then head off to Everest Base Camp.
The trek to Gorak Shep certainly wasn't easy but it was do-able. Owen and I definitely struggled with the altitude and really had a hard time making progress. But we persevered and after expending a lot of energy, finally made it to Gorak Shep. It is the last stop before Base Camp so it's just a tiny 2-lodge town. It is used for the last stop for supplies before mountaineers head up Everest.
We fueled up with food and headed off towards Base Camp. The terrain looks like Mars. Seriously. There is very little vegetation and there are loose rocks and boulders everywhere. This has been caused by the Khumbu glacier extending and retreating through the Khumbu valley over hundreds and thousands of years.
There is imminent danger of landslides in the area as we witnessed on our way. We would be walking along, then the trail would disappear as rocks and boulders ran down the mountain.
For me and I think Owen too, this was the hardest trek so far. We just didn't have the energy to walk up any sort of incline. Every step was a battle and we were completely out of breath the whole time. On top of that we had to hop across large boulders to pass certain parts where the landslides took place. This was just plain and simply dangerous. If we slipped on a rock we could have easily twisted our ankle or hurt ourselves.
About a quarter of the way through the trek, it started snowing and didn't stop the rest of the journey there and back.
As we got near Base Camp we ran into the Khumbu glacier. WOW. Now that was beautiful. I have never seen anything quite like it before. The size and natural beauty blew me away.
Then after hours of exhausting climbing we finally made it to Everest Base Camp. I was beginning to think I wasn't going to make it as my body was saying 'no!'. And what happened at Base Camp?
Well it was definitely exciting finally reaching what we set out to do after all the effort, all the ups and downs, the cold, the suffering and the great experience.
But I have to be honest, it seemed like the most desolate place on earth. Just rocks and boulders everywhere. About 200m away were the tents setup for the climbers getting ready for their attempt to make it to the top of the earth. To my right was the beautiful Khumbu glacier looking colder than ice itself. All around me it was covered in cloud and snowing. You just got the feeling that the weather in Everest can be unbelievably harsh. Super cold, high winds and life threatening.
Seeing some of the mountains in this region make you understand that mountaineers are a breed apart and seriously crazy!
We were lucky enough to meet Lakpa Sherpa's brother at base camp. He has been in training to support Western climbers and he is heading up the mountain tomorrow from Base Camp to Advance Base Camp. Once weather permits he will press up further with the goal of making it to the top for his Western climber employer.
Crazy!!
Anyways then we had to turn around and make it back to Gorak Shep. Thankfully most of the hard part was on the way so we were mainly going downhill. But we were completely exhausted. So what should have been reasonably easy was far from it.
Well we made it back safely and I am completely bushed and totally drained.
We are going to have an early dinner then we are going straight to bed as -weather dependent - so long as it's clear we are going to wake up at 5am tomorrow and make an attempt to summit one of Everest's neighbour Kala Pathar.
Our Sherpa told us it is by far the hardest day on the trek as it's virtually straight up. So let's see if we can do it or whether we have to turn back. If today is anything to go by then I'm not very confident we can make the summit. But we will give it our best and see what happens.
Stay tuned!
- comments
bhavni shah Congtrats made it to base camp! mission accomplished!!
Robin Varley Wow, what an amazing accomplishment! And to think that it's still another 11,000ft (I think) to the top!? Just incredible..
Manjula Shah Amazing ! Congrats Mike its a great achievment to reach Everest Base Camp! Manju Mom and Veni Dad!