Rest Day in Namche Bazaar

We had a rest day in Namche Bazaar to acclimate to the altitude and do a day hike up to a good view point of the high peaks. A full moon provided beautiful light for midnight photos.

Day 2: The Trail to Namche Bazaar

The trail up to the town of Namche Bazaar climbs steadily and steeply to an elevation of 3,440 meters. Views of the Himalayan peaks tower directly above and it is easy to feel that there isn't a more beautiful place on earth as this. The day is warm and clear as we set out for the first major settlement on our trekking route. Namche Bazaar is not quite far enough along to feel beyond civilization. There is internet here and the apple pie is a specialty. The main street is lined with shops selling every type and style of counterfeit gear. Still, as the path climbs beside a glacial river the sense that we are moving toward the upper limit of the earth is real. As we come around the last turn toward the town a buddhist procession winds up the mountain pass.

Flying into Lukla, First Day on the Trail

A view of Mt. Everest along the Kathmandu-Lukla flight path



The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes about an hour with an abrupt landing on a short mountainside uphill airstrip at 2800 meters.



Airport approach



Porters count their earnings at a lodge in the Himalayan town of Lukla, where we met our guide and porter and started along the trail into the Khumbu Valley.



Gateway to the Khumbu Valley with a view of the scared Khumbu mountain.

Ama Dablam and the Everest Base Camp Trek

I am slogging through about 30 gigabytes of photos from our Everest base camp trek. It was one of the best hikes I've ever done and I photographed far too much for anyone's tastes. I'll get back here with some more photos soon.