Well after a not too bad sleep we are woken up at 5.30 with the Wakey wakey black tea call, there is no hot water for wash this morning as breakfast is at 6 and we leave at 6.30. It is going to be a long day today and covering a big distance. Some of us are now losing appetite, porridge is all I could eat this morning.
At breakfast we had bad news Marc was really suffering and having difficulty breathing and would have to return to Dingboche. Not only were we sad for him we really felt for his wife Silvie who would leave him to continue on to Base Camp. After our farewell we leave for Gorag Shep and Base Camp.
It is very cold as we set off and we need warm clothing on and the thermals. Its not long before some are struggling with frozen fingers and gloves are exchanged.
After leaving the lodge we cross over a stream and carry on into the valley. On the left hand side of the valley there is a scientific research station that collects meteorological data also seismic information too.
We continue along the valley where it is all open before we climb an old moraine. We are really taken away with the views all around us.
Everest in background
We arrived at Gorak Shep (17,000ft/5,150m) was our last stop at 9.30am. It is a frozen lake bed thats now covered with sand. At this altitude there are few teahouses for trekkers to scrap over. Gorak Shep is the point where trekkers can summit Kala Patthar (18,200ft/5,500m), which offers the best view you’ll ever get of Everest.
We take our bags to our room before having an early lunch at 10am before leaving to head for the long waited Everest Base Camp.
The walk to EBC is not really difficult but a lot of it is on the glacier so plenty of up and down and meandering in rough terrain it took about 2.5 hours walking slowly to reach Everest Base Camp from Gorak Shep. We had to walk a long way on a boulder field which takes a lot of concentration. The glacier pools were awesome and the sky is very clear, you could see the snow blowing off Everest, which I'm sure you'll agree, looks pretty fab. :)
It is getting tiring now and very stony and you really need to watch where you are going as there are so many steep drops and the path is disapearing. It was good when we reach the sign below. The picture I have seen many times but this was for real and I was taking the photo as I passed it.
glacier pools
Nearly there
WE MADE IT!!!
After a hard slog, we finally made it to Base Camp
Base Camp was very busy as there is two expeditions there, so we coudn't go as far as the tents due to we may take in germs.
We congratulate each other and tie our flags that we have brought with us up with the other ones there. Lots of photos are taken and we pose for a group one. We take a thought about Marc and Peter who could not join us on our acheivement.
Peter and Lawrie are so excited they bare their chests
Guide Roy shares this moment with Alistair
We could not have done it without our Sherpas
Roy, Pratap, Joe, Birbal, Ganga, Rajat Roy and me.
We cant stay too long due to daylight and we need to retrace our steps back to Gorak Shep. The wind has increased and it is bitterly cold on the face.
I'm not feeling very good right now, my sinuses are really sore and have a terrible headache and nausea as well, the wind does not help. Sue also not very good, I think we are all suffering a bit now.(Altitude sickness is a cruel, cold beast, that it is!!) I pull my buff over my face but with hot breath my sunglasses keep steaming up and I can't see where I'm going.
There was a few comments from another group on the way down saying that Alistair didn't look very well and that his little bunny~feets looked cold and tired also.
We arrive back at Gorak Shep approx 3.10 and we are all shattered. We have a cuppie, and hopefully we feel better soon. Dinner is at 6 so we go to our room for a rest. I huddle up in my sleeping bag and have a nap.
After a lie down I felt much better...just think it's the combination of altitude, sinuses and tiredness...it definitely catches up on you! Have really lost my appetite, as have a few of the others. Joe's not looking good right now and we're hoping he recovers soon.
Tomorrow we will only do a samll part of Kala Pata to get get good views of Everest as we have to do two days worth of walking in one...so it would just be too tiring on top of another four hours!
But we're so proud of our group getting to Base Camp, especially Chris who was mislead about the trek by the travel agent.
Well, it's 8.35pm and we're in bed, and the room is baltic...here's hoping we get a good night's sleep after reaching our goal today!! :)
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