Namche Bazaar to Phorste Drenka to Macherma

3-20 to 3-22-07

After an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar I am getting a little used to the altitude even though I still need to rest frequently. Tuesday morning we climbed up to Syangboche Airport right above Namche Bazaar but only helicopters land there. I met a lot of climbers at the tea house but most were going straight to base camp and not to Gokyo. Gokyo is a much more difficult climb. Rested and shopped in Namche Bazaar for the rest of Tuesday. Wednesday we went to Phorste Drenka {3675 m. } and on Thursday to Macherma {4470 m.}. It was very cold in Macherma. My curtains froze to the window and my water also froze. The Nepalese people that I meet on the trail seem to be the happiest people in the world. They are hardworking but don't seem to realize that they live in poverty or at least what we call poverty. They may in fact be the richest people in the world since they all seem so happy and do not have a care in the world. I would probably smile everyday if I woke up with the Himilayas as my backyard every day.

Macherma (4470 m.} to Gokyo {4790 m.}

Friday March 23, 2007

We left Macherma at 7:30 am and arrived at Gokyo at 11:30. It was a hard trek and a lot of climbing. When we got to Gokyo Lake it was frozena and therefore we realize that Lakes 4 and 5 which we were supposed to visit tomorrow are also frozen.

Gokyo Ri {5483 meters}

Saturday March 24, 2007 

We left around 6:30 am and everyone was stopping every 20-30 minutes to catch their breath. The climb was incredibly hard but the view at the summit made it all worth while. The day was beautiful and cloud free. You could see the high winds blowing snow off of the peak of Everest. I do wish the lake had not been frozen because it would have been beautiful in the mountain settling. Summited about 10 am and we set on top and looked at Everest in all its glory. The sun was getting hot and we decided to go down after 30 minutes before the ice started melting and the trails got slippery. Later, I realized I had gotten sunburned. Suntan lotion is usually hard to remember at 5 am. We got back at 12:30, I took my 1st shower in 4 days and got a tuna sandwich and tomato soup . I went to the "highest bookstore in the world" but only bought Pringles. Great day!!!!

 

Cho La Pass {5330 meters}

Monday March 26, 2007

Left Tangnag {Dragnag} 4700 meters early this morning with about 9 other climbers. Chola Pass has been closed due to snow for the last month but we heard it had just opened. The 6.5 hrs straight up is one of the most physically challenging things that I have ever done. The scenery at the Pass was incredible with views of the mountains and glaciers at the top. We spent about 15 minutes enjoying the view, ate a quick bite and headed down for 2 more hours to the next lodge. Ram and I tried to cross a mostly frozen stream but both of us got our feet wet. Luckily we were almost to the lodge and we finally got the stove going and got our shoes dried. Great day.

LaBouche to Gorashep

We left Labouche {4910 meters }at 6:30 am and we arrived at Gorashep at about 9:00. It was not too difficult today. It was very cold last night. Our accomodations at the "tea houses" consists of 1/4 inch plyboard walls and tin roofs with no heat. My water bottle froze last night on the nightstand. A warm sleeping bag is essential.