From Gokyo we descended about 100m to Dragnag crossing the massive Ngozumba Glacier. We walked for about 2 hours over a kilometre of moraine dotted with kettle lakes.
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| Surya and the impressive Ngozumba Glacier on the way toDragnag from Gokyo |
Our day over Cho La Pass started at 4 am and we were walking in half light and frost by 5 am. The first 3 km was through tussock type high country.
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| Looking back towards Dragnag after about 2 hours trekking. Jonathan is the masked one. |
The last km to the pass was a steep rock scree climb of 200m and we moved slowly towards our goal. Many porters passed us with their heavy loads almost skipping across the difficult terrain. Amazing people, so strong and cheerful.
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| The last 100m towards Cho La Pass |
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| Kim, David and Jethar on the Cho La snow field |
We reached the pass at around 10 am and met several groups coming from the opposite direction. More breathtaking views of sheer peaks and glaciers.
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| Lunch at last about 30 minutes below the pass - Tu meke! |
Lunch was an hour below the pass in a sheltered basin. Lunch was prepared by our lodge the night before and consisted of a boiled egg, Tibetin bread, slice of cheese and Mars bar. Kim also shared one of his salami beer sticks with me. Meat at last! !
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| Looking towards the north just below the pass |
From here it was only another 1.5 hours to Dzonglha the smallest of our villages so far. On arrival we were treated to tea and a tasty feed of noodle soup.
A massive day and another of our objectives achieved. Tramping at this altitude is tough. The team is very tired and proud of their huge effort today.
Tomorrow we are off to Lobuche on the main highway to Everest Base Camp!
P.S. I have updated the Gokyo and Phortse posts with more pictures, some really cool ones. I recommend you take a look.
Thanks for keeping the news coming, what an amazing journey for all. There were some great photos up yesterday that seem to have disappeared? Hi to Leroy! Cheers Debbie
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