Mountain Odyssey Expedition Log

Day: 7 Khumbu

Day: 7    Following the mountaineer's adage, "climb high and sleep low", we'll spend a second night in Namche for the purpose of acclimatization.  At first light we'll walk up on the ridge above camp for our first glimpse of the magnificent panorama which includes Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.  After breakfast a good portion of the day will be devoted to hiking and exploring the neighboring villages of Khumjung (12,434') and Khunde (12,598').  Returning to camp in the afternoon, there will be ample time to spend in Namche.

Day: 8 Rowaling

Day: 8    We leave the Tamba Kosi far below and make the gradual climb to Simigaon.  The lower section of this sprawling agricultural village is occupied by Tamang people but the upper portion is Sherpa and there is a Buddhist Monestary nearby.  Here we are on the edge of the Rowaling valley.

Day: 8 Khumbu

Day: 8    This is a short, steep day.  We move camp up to Khumjung (12,434') visited on the previous day.  Moving our camps up gradually early in the trek will help us acclimatize well for the higher altitudes to come.  Khumjung is a beautiful village with fantastic views of Ama Dablam and Thamserku! 

Day: 9 Rowaling

Day: 9    Leaving Simigaon behind we enter the Rowaling valley.   Closed to westerners until 1989, the Rowaling was considered a beyul or "place of refuge in troubled times".  Following the Rowaling Khola (river) along the south side we gain approximately 3100' in elevation as we climb beneath the lower ridges of Gaurishankar (7135m).  The air is cooler now and we see few signs of habitation before Beding. 

Day: 9 Khumbu

Day: 9    We take the high route after leaving Khumjung, climbing a stone stairway through a cliff band on the lower slopes of Khumbila.  This scenic trail is too steep for yaks so it has little traffic on it.  Lunch is served on the terrace of a tea house in Mon La from where we enjoy spectacular views of Thamserku, Kantega and Ama Dablam!  After lunch we make a long descent to cross the Dudh Kosi and climb back up to the village of Phortse (12,467') where we make our camp that evening.

Day: 10 Rowaling

Day: 10    The trail continues up valley crossing to the north side of the Rowaling Khola.  Along the way we have glimpses of Chekigo (6257m) a newly opened trekking peak.  We camp that evening at Beding (12,200'), the main Sherpa settlement in the Rowaling valley.   Now we are entering high altitude and will spend two nights camped in this picturesque village for the purpose of acclimatization.  There will be ample time to visit the Gompa (monestary), one of the oldest in the area.

Day: 10 Khumbu

Day: 10    Leaving Phortse behind we spend the day hiking along a high and open trail on the lower slopes of Tawoche.  This is a secondary trail and offers fantastic views and few crowds!  Our lunch stop is in the village of Pangboche and there will be  time to visit the monestary, the oldest in the Khumbu.  That afternoon we continue on to Dingboche (14,271') where we will spend two nights for acclimatization.

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.

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.