EBC Days 8 and 9 - Dingboche to Lobuche

After a restful 3 nights in Dingboche we were ready to move on to Lobuche, our next stop.  I slept well the night before.  We had breakfast at 7.  I had the Trekkers Breakfast - French Toast, eggs and a bowl of muesli.    It was a hearty breakfast that I need for the long hike ahead.

Whenever we move to a new location or village, we pack two bags:  One day-pack and an overnight bag.  The day-pack is what we carry with us during the hike.  It should contain only the things you need during the hike and for the day.  I try to limit mine to less than 5 lbs.  I have water, snacks, electronic accessories, emergency over-the-counter medicine like pepto-bismol, Tylenol, band-aid, chapstick, sunblock, etc, a small hand towel, roll of tissue paper, DSLR camera and perhaps a few more items.  Others may have different items in their day packs depending on their preference.  The most important item is water.  You must always have water in your day-pack, not just to quench your thirst, but as a way to counter altitude sickness.  Drinking a lot of water is the best way to acclimatize.

Our overnight bags hold things that we need at the tea-houses.  Everyone in our group, except me, has a large 90-liter duffel bag weighing about 12kg or about 25lbs.  I have a large backpack which I find adequate for my needs.  In the overnight bags are our sleeping bags, extra clothes and equipment, toiletries, medication, etc.  Three porters support our group and carry these overnight bags to our next destination.  They also carry our guides' overnight bags so they each average about 25kg or a little over 50lbs.  They pick up these bags in the morning while we are having breakfast and have a head start on us.  By the time we arrive at our next village, our overnight bags are usually there.

This is one of the most beautiful part of the hike.  We were surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks.  Below us is the valley floor where Periche is located.  The terrain ahead was relatively flat.  We were at about 15,000 feet elevation.  Our spirits were high.  After 2 nights in Lobuche, we have 2 more nights in Gorak Shep; our terminus.

Looking down at the valley where Periche is located

Another view of the valley

Another view

More peaks

We were surrounded by tall Himalayan peaks

Hiking through a broad plain

More Himalayan peaks

Terrain starts to change to rocks.

As we get further along on the hike the terrain changed.  We are starting to see huge rocks.  Our pace slowed.  We need to get down to the bottom of the valley and start another ascent.

Sign showing we are in Thukla

Mountains in the background

Never get tired of this view

Sight of Amadablan as we approach Thukla

We took our lunch break at Thukla.  I shared a bowl of Sherpa stew with Bert.  Sherpa stew is a bowl of soup with various types of vegetables and some meat.  The closest I can think of an American soup is Minnestrone soup.  Just above Thukla is a memorial park of sort that commemorates those who died trying to summit Mount Everest.  It goes to show that climbing Mount Everest is a risky venture.  Many never came back.  Stephanos hung a couple of prayer flags in memory of a couple of love ones.

Lunch in Thukla

A Memorial Stupa commemorating one of the greatest climbers

Many memorial stupas commemorating those who died climbing Mt. Everest

Dedication to Babu Chili Sherpa, who holds many climbing records

Prayer flags and beautiful mountain views at the memorial

The pace starts to slow after lunch.  It's been about 5 to 6 hours since we started.  We were getting tired. Step-by-step we are slowly climbing to Lobuche.  At about 3 pm we started seeing buildings.  Lobuche is in sight.  We found our tea house.  Finally, a well-deserved rest.  I have my honey-lemon-ginger team.  Stephanos had his hot chocolate.  Others have their favorite beverages.  The dining hall is crowded with other trekkers from all over the world.

A group picture, including our guides Nutan and Dilip

Lobuche Welcomed Us

Lobuche at 5030m or about 16,502 ft.

We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset

We spent the next day resting and acclimatizing in Lobuche.  We took a short hike up to a dry glacier lake.  We also saw a woman incapacitated by altitude sickness being evacuated by helicopter.  It's a scene that we'd see a few more times in Gorak Shep.

Dry glacier lake above Lobuche

Looking down at Lobuche from nearby lake