September 19
We left early the morning to hike from Laboche to our guesthouse in Gorak Shep which is the closest "town" to Everest Base Camp. There aren't any guesthouses at Base Camp itself, so no one actually stays there overnight except for climbers in expeditions who are preparing to summit Everest or Lhotse and they have tents set up for them to sleep in while they are there. Gorak Shep is at 5100 meters in elevation (16,750 ft) which is a little lower than Base Camp.
When we arrived at our guesthouse in Gorak Shep, the plan was to drop our bags, have a quick bite to eat for lunch, then continue on to Base Camp. Gene was feeling really sick when we arrived at Gorak Shep; the altitude was hitting him hard causing a very severe headache. He started taking Diamox (medication to ease the symptoms of altitude sickness) the night before, but it takes about 24 hours to kick in. He decided to skip the day trek to Base Camp. I continued on with Govi and Radskumar.
We left early the morning to hike from Laboche to our guesthouse in Gorak Shep which is the closest "town" to Everest Base Camp. There aren't any guesthouses at Base Camp itself, so no one actually stays there overnight except for climbers in expeditions who are preparing to summit Everest or Lhotse and they have tents set up for them to sleep in while they are there. Gorak Shep is at 5100 meters in elevation (16,750 ft) which is a little lower than Base Camp.
When we arrived at our guesthouse in Gorak Shep, the plan was to drop our bags, have a quick bite to eat for lunch, then continue on to Base Camp. Gene was feeling really sick when we arrived at Gorak Shep; the altitude was hitting him hard causing a very severe headache. He started taking Diamox (medication to ease the symptoms of altitude sickness) the night before, but it takes about 24 hours to kick in. He decided to skip the day trek to Base Camp. I continued on with Govi and Radskumar.
Trekking to Gorak Shep, yaks we passed on the trail that were coming down to Laboche from Gorak Shep.
On the way to Base Camp, we pass the Khumbu glacier. It looks like thousands of rock hills, but there is ice below them and little glacial lakes between them.
Himalayan wild flowers at 5300 meters!
First view of Base Camp - and we notice that there are expedition tents set up which means that there are climbers preparing to summit. It's rare for this time of year since most expeditions run in October and November, the best weather season for climbing.
After climbing over an "ice bridge" (a narrow ice trail with glacial lakes on either side), we arrive at Base Camp!
Me and Radskumar, our awesome porter
Me and our guide, Govinda (we nick-named him Govi)
Everest Base Camp - 17,700 ft!
hWe walked around the expedition tents and met the guys from the expedition. This is their dining tent. They have a sleeping tent, bathroom tent, kitchen tent, and dining tent.
Here's me and the two Italian guys from the expedition, Federico (left) and Edmond (right). Their goal is to summit Lhotse (4th tallest mountain in the world, 8,516 meters or 27,940 ft) and then ski down the mountain the same way they climbed up. If successful, they will be the firsts to ever accomplish this feat (there was one other unsuccessful attempt by an American in 2010). In order to summit Lhotse, they have to climb part of Everest, using the first few camps. Pretty crazy, I'm really hoping they are successful! Here's their blog and website: www.lhotseskichallenge.com.
Last shot at Base Camp before heading back to Gorak Shep.
This is one of the memorials from an American that died during his attempt to summit Everest in 2011. I loved the quote on his memorial - "Live a Story".
Back at the guesthouse in Gorak Shep hanging out around the furnace, drinking our ginger and mint tea.
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