Everest Base Camp Trek
In October 2012 I joined a group of fourteen travelers to participate in an REI Adventure to Nepal to trek (and to camp) to Everest Base Camp. For over twenty years the thought of actually seeing the highest mountain in the world intrigued me (initially I considered registering for the Everest Marathon). Once a decision was made to actually visit Nepal and hike to Everest Base Camp, I “googled” expedition guides and chose REI … and I am so very thankful I did. Our trip leader Tupten Yeshi Sherpa (and many of his staff) had lead REI groups for well over a decade and their experience was clear (and certainly appreciated) throughout the 14-day trek. The trek began after a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (elevation 9,300 feet). From Lukla the route descended to our first camp in Phakding (8,500 feet), near a large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River. Over the next nine days we hiked about 36 miles and climbed nearly 10,000 feet. The weather was exceptionally clear each morning, generally foggy and or cloudy each afternoon, and blessed with starry skies each night. Temperatures fluctuated from around 20 degrees in the morning, 60-70 degrees around noon, and 10 degrees at night (generally clear and cold). Got my first view of Mount Everest on the 4th day of our trek after leaving Namche Bazaar – hard to describe the sensation (had tears in my eyes!). Nearly each day for the next week we had clear views of Everest as well as the other majestic peaks surrounding us. The ascending part of the trek culminated in a visit to Base Camp (17,500 feet) — where some on Andy’s ashes were laid to rest – and to the summit of Kala Pattar (a bit over 18,000 feet): both destinations provided breathtaking views. Then we turned around and hiked another 35 miles back to Lukla. Below are a few photos and an article Amber Travsky wrote for the Laramie Boomerang. Everest Base Camp Trek (Amber Article)
REI Trek to Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Greeting with marigolds, Everest Base Camp Trek – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Lukla airstrip (9,350 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Entering Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Memorial Gate – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Camp 1 Phakding (8,661 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
River crossing near Phakding – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Suspension bridge, Dudh Kosi River Valley – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Suspension bridge, Dudh Kosi River Valley – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Suspension bridge, Dudh Kosi River Valley – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Camp 2 Namche Bazaar (11,319 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Trek to Everest View Hotel near Namche Bazaar – Khumbu Region, Nepal
View from the Everest View Hotel near Namche Bazaar – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Standard Base Camp trail (Everest behind left with wind plume, Ama Dablam on the right) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Yaks with driver, Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Porter, Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Camp 3 Phortse Tenga (12,500 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Yak, Phortse Tenga – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Base Camp trail with Ama Dablam (22,349 feet) behind – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Camp 4 Pangboche (13,123 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Suspension bridge, Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Base Camp trail with Nuptse-Lhotse Wall behind – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Camp 5 Dingboche (14,271 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
View East above Dingboche – Khumbu Region, Nepal
View Southeast above Dingboche – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Pheriche Valley, Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Himalayan Rescue Association clinic and Everest Memorial sculpture, Pheriche – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Scott Fischer Memorial (died on Everest in May 1996), Thokla Pass – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Camp 6 Lobuche (16,207 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Above Lobuche, Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Yak, Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Above Lobuche, Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Camp 7 Goark Shep (16,942 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Trekkers approach Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Mount Everest (center with wind plume) from Kala Pattar – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Everest Base Camp (17,598 feet) – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Khumbu Icefall, Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Region, Nepal
REI group, Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Thupten Yeshi Sherpa (REI Trip leader) says a prayer while I spread some of Andy’s ashes at Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Andy’s photo with prayer flags, Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Region, Nepal
Trip leader Thupten and some of the REI staff, Everest Base Camp trail – Khumbu Region, Nepal
REI Everest Base Camp trekkers, October 2012 – Lukla, Nepal
WONDER 