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This is day 17 of my 24 day trek through the Khumbu region of Nepal -> View all posts for this trek
The trek over the Cho La Pass had left me tired and exhausted, and so the short and relatively easy walk to Lobuche today would be much appreciated by my weary legs. I left Dzongla at around 8am and trekked downhill for a short time to cross a small stream, before then gradually climbing up the other side, passing the unoccupied base camp for the peak of Lobuche West which rose up above me. Further on, as I gained elevation, the frozen milky blue lake of Cholatse Tsho appeared below me to my right, with the near vertical face of Cholatse and Taboche rising straight up from it, towering far above me, their icy summits shining brightly in the morning sun.
Ahead of me a huge valley dropped below and spectacular landscape spread out before me with the iconic peak of Ama Dablam rising up above it on the other side. This valley is that of the Khumbu Khola, the stream that flows from the massive Khumbu Glacier which originates on Everest. I rounded a spur and began heading North again towards the huge rocky moraine of the glacier that I would follow all of the way to Everest Base Camp.
The trail stayed mostly flat and provided some nice easy trekking, which my legs were grateful for. I could see the main trail to Everest Base Camp on the other side of the valley, rising up from Duglha, where trekkers would be heading up from acclimatisation days in Periche or Dingboche. Eventually the trail dropped down to cross a frozen, rocky stream and the two trails merged, and once again, I was back on the main trail to Everest. I was following my own footsteps again now but the landscape was slightly different, as last time I was here it was all covered in snow from the snowstorm that passed through the previous day. Today there was very little snow around.
A short trek up the valley following beside the glacial moraine brought me into Lobuche, located at 4930m, before lunchtime. I spent the afternoon relaxing with a book and resting up for the final trek to Everest Base Camp the next day.
What an adventurous trek you are making. We are in Nepal and wanted to do the Everest Base Camp trek but the rain and weather the last few weeks has made it impossible for us. We would have seen nothing but clouds. When did you make this trek and get these fabulous photographs. I have been here nearly 90 days and have yet to see a sky like you had.
John Rodgers recently posted..Mongolia: Great Gobi Adventure
Hi John,
Yes you are there during the monsoon season so it is not a good time of year for trekking. Wait until next month and it should be better. Both times that I have been to Nepal I visited in November/early December and the weather was beautiful. Generally, the best trekking times are from March to early May, and then October to early December. You can also trek through the winter months at lower altitudes but the higher mountain passes get closed off.
Dean Wickham recently posted..Dzongla to Lobuche in Nepal
Wonderful pictures! I was in Nepal last November during the fuel crisis. I didn’t do any trekking though, and focused more on the ancient heritage sites. But not long after my trip somehow quite a lot of blog posts and magazine articles about the Himalayas sprung up, including yours. Hopefully one day I can retrace your paths and see the majestic landscape with my own eyes.
Bama recently posted..Perceiving Kerala
I was there during the fuel crisis as well. I wasn’t sure I would be able to fly home! haha. It all worked out though. I hope you return to Nepal.
Such a rugged terrain, I do hope you guys are alright, but it really looks barren without the snow.
It is a harsh place. Very beautiful though.
Nepal offers so much in the trekking department, and it is because they have such challenging and great trails to get yourself going.
It is my favourite place in the world to hike.
I would love to challenge this trekking trail!
You should do it Nika!