We arrived in Gokyo, a small lake side 'resort' at around 10am yesterday after a typically early morning start from Machhermo. Awesome views up and down valley with Cho Yo dominating the northern skyline. We passed summer grazing areas for the many yak herds that are run in the valley - stone walls and stone buildings with slate rooves. The vegetation has become stunted with the altitude but there are still dwarf rhododendrons about shin height about to flower and beautiful lavender primula. The tundra plants look much like the high country back home.
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| Approaching the summit of Gokyo Ri. Sirdar Pemba in front |
Four of us headed up to Gokyo Ri at 11.30pm for views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Yo, Gokyo and the Himalya. It was a 600m climb and the oxygen is hard to find at this altitude so we moved slowly. It took 2 and 1/4 hours to the top for panoramic views of the Himalya. Everest was in cloud but there were plenty of other big peaks to impress us. We took the necessary flag pictures and hung a prayer flag at the top Pemba our sirdar offered us a celebratory Mars bar and then with the wind chill was quite severe we donned our puffer jackets and headed down.
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| Pauline, Liam, Mason and Leroy on the summit of Gokyo Ri - "We knocked the b..... off!" |
To back track a little - from Phorste we trekked to Dole past waterfmlalls and birch forest. We often passed sherpa carrying massive loads such as wood, steel reinforcing and ply doors.The evening was spent playing cards with the sherpa and porters, Kings and Scum, Hearts andJacks.
The next day May 2nd was Doug's birthday and a trek to Machhermo. This was another short day and a chance to catch up on the washing. Yes Pauline has pictures to prove it! Weather closed in a little and there were the occasional snowflakes. Our sherpa helped create a lovely birthday cake for Doug - chocolate mud cake with icing and lettering, a big achievement at such an isolated location.
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| Happy Birthday Will (Doug) Douglas - 18! |
And now we are here in Gokyo and about to head to Dragnag, a short day across the Ngozumba Glacier before heading over Cho La. The team is coping well with altitude with one or two experiencing the effects of being at 4800m. Dragnag is about 100m lower and this should help. Most of us have experienced rumbly tummies at some stage as we adjust to the different food. It is part of the deal when visiting Nepal. We treat our water by steripen and aqua tab so there have been no problems there.
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| Dinner together at Gokyo Resort |
The next internet is in Lobuche so I will update in a few days. Namaste.
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