Namche Bazar to Pangboche – a Grueller

It was an early start this morning and we were heading for Pangboche, a further couple of hours walking than we originally anticipated. The weather was on our side again.

The views were just as exciting as the day before. This is the Killer gazing at them with awe and amazement. Or maybe he’s just remembered that he forgot to put his gaiters on.

This photo sums up this beautiful country. A Yak wandering down the track, a Buddhist shrine behind it and a 25,000 foot peak behind that.

We take regular stops to rest a bit and drink water. Hydration is essential to stave off altitude sickness and we’re working our way up to 5 litres a day at the higher levels. We hopefully won’t need an emergency evacuation by that chopper over our heads.

We are in the Sagarmatha National Park and these wild goats are protected here, as are the Red Panda and the Snow Leopard.

Even rarer, however, is the Senor Kilby. There is only one left here and it was recently caught on film. It does exist despite all the cynicism. The abominable Englishman ladies and gentlemen.

The path goes down as well as up even if you’re going up. And we are going up. Over 1500 feet altitude increase today.

Eventually we reach the river and a tea house providing lunch. Then immediately after we have the longest climb of the day up to the village of Tengboche. This hurt, the only way to do it is slowly. And on a welcome break the peak of Kang Taiga, at 22,000 feet, poked through the cloud and said hello to our fellowship.

Climbing over the ridge leading to Tengboche we were astonished by the sight of Nuptse, Everest and Lhotse up the valley, now much closer.

Tengboche Buddhist Monastery is famous in the region and is amazing.

We were not allowed to take photographs inside but we were allowed to enter in shorts, with boots respectfully discarded. The decoration and the size of the golden statue of Buddha were incredible. Like entering another world. In another time, in another place – thanks Van.

We set off again for Pangboche, back down to the river and up the hillside for an hour to finish the day. Passing wood pixies.

And youngsters harvesting potatoes.

Crossing the river we huffed and puffed up to Pangboche and a frustrating evening squeezing blogs out of an intermittent and underpowered Wi-Fi.

Night night.