This morning, a group of about 8 of us from our expedition grabbed a sack lunch and headed off into the mist from Gorak Shep, where we are staying tonight, towards the Everest Base Camp. Base Camp is only about 50 meters higher than Gorak Shep –about 5370 m — but the trek takes over 2 hours each way because the trail shifts uphill and downhill many times. Due to the onset of afternoon clouds and a bit of rain, snow and sleet, the trek itself was a bit dreary. But it was worthwhile to follow in Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Tenzing Norgay’s footsteps.
The sign to Everest Base Camp (Photo by James McKinney)
At this point, the climbing season has not yet begun in earnest, as the monsoons are now just ending. Thus, the trail was a bit deserted. At Base Camp, which is situated in the middle of the Khumbu Glacier, there are now only five teams getting ready to attempt the Everest summit. One of the teams has already lost a man to a heart attack. God speed to all of them.
Everest Base Camp, off season (Photo by James McKinney)
Although we are on the slopes of Mt Everest, you can’t see the famous summit from base camp. Tomorrow we will hike to the summit of Kala Patar at 5500 meters which (we hope) will provide us views of Mt Everest and the entire Everest Valley, which have been so elusive because of the lingering monsoon clouds.
- James
Hii.really a good environment. I’m also interested to visit here. The monsoon clouds make this environment more attractive. Keep up such postings in future too.