Day #12 - Everest BaseCamp
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Itinerary - Labuche to Gorak Shep to Everest BaseCamp to Gorak Shep
Elevation: 16,207’ to 16,962’ to 17,600’ to 16,962’
I did it!!!! Today I summited Everest BaseCamp!! What an amazing place - to think about all the people that have come before me. This is one of those days I’ll remember forever.
I was able to get about 6 hours of sleep last night - surprisingly. I had low expectations of being able to sleep at 16.207’. I woke up without a headache and my sore throat was a lot better. So very thankful!
Today started with anticipation and excitement. We separated into 3 groups from the start. The group doing Island Peak and the Performance Trek went out first. (This was something I had considered in the past - but decided against this due to the technical nature/expertise required. Island Peak requires about a 5 day extension to the trip. The Performance Trek meets back up with us in 3 days. Margot and Warren are doing Island Peak with Jeff. Greg, Korby, and Ann are doing the Performance Trek with Liam).
The morning section of the trek went smoothly. I was hiking with Leah, Priscilla, John, Margot, and Warren. It took us about 3 hours to get to Gorak Shep from Labuche. We arrived around 11am and then had some hot tea/lunch.
We started our trek to BaseCamp around 12:30pm. Myself, Priscilla, John, Warren, and Margot were together with our Sherpa (Dawhi). It was a tough course - filled with steep ups/downs - with a lot of rocks/boulders. The final 1/2 mile followed this ridge line that overlooked BaseCamp. Wow!!!! You could see the Khumba Icefall - the most dangerous section on the Everest Summit route. The BaseCamp is an expansive piece of real estate. There are constant bumps and hills throughout BaseCamp. It’s hard for me to imagine how folks can find enough flat spots to accommodate all their tents. There’s a rock in the central part of the Camp with a sign and elevation marker. It’s here we focused our picture taking.
The return trek to the hotel was joyous - but difficult. It’s been a long day for sure. I’m huddled around the fire in the hotel. There’s some communication - but most people are too exhausted for conversation.
It’s just about time for dinner - and then an early bedtime. I have 1 more big challenge on this trip - hiking Kalla Patthar - at an elevation of 18,204’. This is considered much more difficult than the trek to BaseCamp. This has always been considered ‘cherry on top of the sundae’ if I can make this happen. Tomorrow morning - I’ll give it a go. After that - it’s downhill back to Lukla and then Kathmandu. 1 big effort day - I got this!!!
Keep the Faith!!!
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