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The day had finally come! We started early at 6:30am and trekked towards Gorak Shep for lunch before heading to EBC through snow, then trekked back to Gorak Shep for dinner and slept at 5,200m.
The gruelling journey took a total of 9 hours, most of which was uphill climbe! It was the hardest day so far but a good night sleep in Lobuche helped. We just told ourselves to take it slow and one step at a time. The path was full of stones and narrow so a mis-step would mean a great deal of danger.
Nevertheless, the scenery along the way was impeccable. The beautiful glaciers and the spectacular mountain range were out of this world!
To be honest, the moment I reached EBC I had a mixed feeling: on one hand I was excited that I finally got to where I came for; yet on the other hand I felt a bit anti-climatic. There was nothing much to see at Base Camp, apart from batches of prayer flags and countless number of yellow camps for summitters. The large piece of glaciers on the right to the Base Camp did offer a temproary spectacle. However, Base Camp, as they all say, it is a "tick-the-box" kind of thing - it is still an achievement but it simply cannot rival the scenery along the trekking path from Lukla.
As expected, we could not see the rest of Everest from Base Camp due to the large and thick cloud as well as the heavy snow (my freezing fingers were the price for the many photos taken around that Base Camp stone!). Nevertheless, we were greeted by Lapka's young brother, also Lakpa (which means Wednesday, the day they were born. People on the mountain not only seem to have a simple life but also simple name system!). He arrived at Base Camp the day before us and is now waiting for the weather to clear before attempting his summit.
The appeal to conquer Everest is as strong as ever, despite the danger. Everyday rescue helicopters come and go every hour during daytime. Lapka said: "people dying here is like chicken dying. It happens (either dying, severely injured or sick) so often now that people just get on with it."
Anyway, we achieved what we set out to achieve and the experience was awesome! We cross our fingers for Lakpa for his summit attempt!
- comments
Mike's Parents Well done Owen! We have enjoyed reading your latest blog and seeing the photos. You and Mike will have memories to last a life time. Have a safe journey home to London.
bhavni Congrats owen! Well written blog and enjoyed reading it. You guys have had an amazing experience and cant wait to hear all about it when we meet.