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June 2007

June 01, 2007

Day: 11 Rowaling

Day: 11    The best way to spend an acclimatization day is to "climb high and sleep low" and that's what we'll do.  There is a trail just east of Beding which goes up and over Manlung La, an 18,202' pass leading into Tibet.  We will climb as high as time allows, have lunch and enjoy the views, spending the better part of the day before heading back to camp in Beding for a second night.

Day:11 Khumbu

Day: 11    The best way to use an acclimatization day is to "climb high and sleep low".  Crossing the Imja Khola outside Dingboche we will spend the day hiking to 16,000' on the lower slopes of Ama Dablam. I have a favorite spot to stop for lunch that will offer us great views of Nupste, Everest and Lhotse.  This will prepare us for moving our camp higher on the following day.  We will spend a second night in Dingboche.

June 10, 2007

Day: 12 Rowaling

Day:  12    Continuing up the Rowaling, we trek to Na at 13,800'.  The Sherpas use this small, primitive settlement in the summer when they move their yaks to higher pasture.  Surrounded by high peaks, we spend two nights in this camp as we continue our program of acclimatization.

Day: 12 Khumbu

Day:  12    Heading east from Dingboche we follow the main trail for a short distance before turning north onto a steep trail that will lead us up to our first pass, Kungma La.  Climbing past Bibre, we make camp in a beautiful, high meadow directly across from the spectacular north face of Ama Dablam.

June 11, 2007

Day: 13 Rowaling

Day: 13    Taking another day at Na for acclimatization, we hike up to a small lake called Omat Tsho.  Omat Tsho is a sacred place and this is always a special day.  Located near the Tibetan border, it is used by the local lamas to perform pujas.   We'll gain 1500' to 2000' in elevation, have lunch and do a little training on fixed ropes before the first climb.

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Day: 13 Khumbu

Dia_0403_2 Day: 13    Getting an early start from camp, we hike towards our first pass Kungma La.  Near the top we skirt the shore of a beautiful alpine lake with Makalu reflected in it's waters.  At this point, those wishing to climb Pokalde (19,049') will come with me while the rest of the group proceeds over the pass and down to camp.  This first climb is primarily a rock scramble to a small summit that is located right in the center of Everest National Park.  Fantastic views!  We shouldn't see many people on this leg of the trek. Dia_0402 

June 13, 2007

Day: 14 Rowaling

Day: 14    Leaving Na, we head east and cross to the south side of the Rowaling Khola.  Taking the trail to the south, we turn up the drainage of the Yarlung and Ramdung glaciers and climb to the base camp of Yalung Ri at approximately 16,000'.  This is a beautiful and remote camp offering great views of Chobutse and the Tibetan peaks beyond.  Dia_0410_2

Day: 14 Khumbu

Day: 14    With the previous day having been the first big day of the trip, today will be a rest day.  After a leisurely breakfast we will break camp and take a 1 hour hike across the Khumbu glacier.  The trail will lead us over the boulder strewn glacier and bring us out above the village of Lobuje.  The rest of the day is yours to kick back or explore on your own. 

June 17, 2007

Day: 15 Rowaling

Day: 15     For our first climb Yalung Ri (18,580') is a very straightforward and enjoyable snow climb.  We'll get an early start and follow the morraine of the Yalung glacier to the northwest ridge which will lead us to the summit.  This is a fun climb and great conditioner for the higher, more challenging  Parcharmo.Dia_0411  Dia_0029

Day: 15 Khumbu

Day: 15    Today we have a close-up look at Mt. Everest.  We leave our Lobuje camp early and follow the trail along the Khumbu glacier crossing the Changri Glacier before arriving at Gorak Shep.  Gorak Shep,the last outpost of civilization, was the original base camp used by Hillary during the first ascent of Everest.  Crossing a dry lake bed the trail leads up the south ridge of Pumori to a point known as Kala Pattar (black rock) at 18,300'.  This offers possibly the best vantage point to view Mt. Everest from base camp to summit.Dia_0400   

June 21, 2007

Day: 16, 17 ROWALING

Day: 16, 17    We have two days to move into striking distance of the summit of Ramdung Go.  While not much higher than Yalung Ri it is farther back up the Ramdung Glacier and we will have to move camp at least one time, depending on conditions, to be near enough for a reasonable summit day.  Then we will approach the mountain from the north-east flank for a straight-forward climb to the summit.  Ramdung affords great views of Melungste and Gaurishankar!

Day:16,17 KHUMBU

Day: 16,17  After a big day hiking up Kala Pattar we have an easier, shorter day moving up to the base camp of Lobuje East, our second climb.  This camp is in a spacious meadow on the south side of Lobuje and seldom crowded.  We will be on the trail 2-3 hours on day 16.  On day 17 we also have a short distance to cover as we hike up to high camp.  This is one of my favorite high camps in the Khumbu area on the shore of a small alpine lake with incredible views of the north side of Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku.Dia_0437

June 23, 2007

Day: 18 ROWALING

DAY: 18    We approach and climb Ramdung Go via the north-east flank.  This is a straightforward snow climb which leads to a summit the offers fantastic views of Gauri Shankar, Melungste and the Tibetan peaks beyond.

DAY: 18 KHUMBU

DAY: 18    It's up and out early for those wishing to climb Lobuje East (20,075').  This is a fun, moderately steep snow climb with great views of the surrounding Khumbu valley.  I plan to make the summit, break high camp and return to base camp that evening.  I prefer this climb over the more popular Island Peak.Dia_0438

June 29, 2007

DAY 19: ROWALING

DAY 19:    Our first two climbs behind us, we descend to the main valley trail and follow it to Kobuk.  Our camp is in a meadow beneath the morraine that forms Tsho Rolpa, a large glacial lake at the foot of the Trakarding Glacier.

DAY 19: KHUMBU

DAY 19:    This is a challenging day after climbing Lobuje.  We'll get an early start as we climb Cho La, our second pass.  When we get to the pass, the climbers have the option to make the ascent of Chugima Ri, 18,800'.  The others can continue down tDia_0434 he pass to camp at approximately 16,500'.  Dia_0435

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