Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

  F or those who have just discovered this, the previous posts about my trek through the Everest Region in November 2021: Kathmandu Part I: Lukla to Namche Part II: Namche to Khunde Part III: Khunde to Pangboche Part IV: Ama Dablam Basecamp to Dingboche Part V: Chukkhung Part VI: Kongma La Part VII: Gorek Shep, Everest Basecamp, and a snowstorm on Kala Patthar Day 12 This day was a short(ish) transfer from Lobuche (16,186') to Gorek Shep (16,990'), then an afternoon outing to Everest Base Camp (approx. 17,600'). The next day or so were our biggest "I wish I had the fur of a yak" days. Wool of a yak? Patient (and warm) yak waiting for the load to go on its pack saddle. Those guys' humps are about shoulder high on a not-too-tall person like me or our guides. The day's hike started next to the Khumbu glacier's lateral moraine, but soon we were up on the jumble of rocks. The trail was pretty good, but had its moments. Nor was the weather looking promising.

F or those who have just discovered this, the previous posts about my trek through the Everest Region in November 2021: Kathmandu Part I: Lukla to Namche Part II: Namche to Khunde Part III: Khunde to Pangboche Part IV: Ama Dablam Basecamp to Dingboche Part V: Chukkhung   Day 11: Kongma La On this day, we split the party again. Four of us, plus leader Kim and most of the guides, and the yaks, headed down towards Dingboche and took the "low" route to Lobuche, up the river than drains off the Khumbu Glacier. My son and I, plus Alison, Lhakpa, and Junar, headed for Kongma La (Kongma Pass), just a few feet lower than the summit of Chukkhung Ri! Cool cloud effects in the morning Heading out. The yaks have farther to go, but much less climbing. They seem unworried. The climb started pretty easy, up the same grassy slopes we'd been on, and traversing gently. Things got more real after an hour. My son and Lhakpa waiting for Alison and me, as usual. Hard to see how we'll

Chukkhung Ri First, for those who have just discovered this, the previous posts about my trek through the Everest Region in November 2021: Kathmandu Part I: Lukla to Namche Part II: Namche to Khunde Part III: Khunde to Pangboche Part IV: Ama Dablam Basecamp to Dingboche Day 9: To Chukkhung From Dinboche to Chukkhung was a short day, so we were able to do some explorations after arriving (and lunch, of course). Short or not, it was also our highest point to date--the little hotel village of Chukkhung is higher than Ama Dablam base camp! We headed out about 8:30, as usual, up the Imja Khola river valley. We didn't try for really early starts because overnight temperatures were just too cold--with our reasonable days, it made more sense to wait for the sun in most places. Passing through Dingboche in the morning. The amount of ice on the river tells you that even the days are getting cold! Guide Junar arriving at the Chukkhung Resort. "Resort" has a different meaning in the

Oh, wow! My first post entirely done on the new blog! First, for those who have just discovered this, the previous posts about my trek through the Everest Region: Kathmandu Part I: Lukla to Namche Part II: Namche to Khunde Part III: Khunde to Pangboche I did the trek with Kamzang Journeys , which did a fantastic job of managing everything, including PCR tests and airport shuttles, as well as setting a sensible schedule for acclimatizing. (Note: I don't get any kick-back from this, I just think they are doing a lot of good things and deserve a shout-out.)  And now, to continue: Part IV: Ama Dablam Base Camp to Dingboche We started a little early on Day 7, because it's a long climb. From the hotel at 12,792' we dropped a hundred feet to cross the Imje Khola, then climbed to Base Camp at 15,040'. For those who are counting, that's "only" about 2350', but the high point is 546' above the summit of Mt. Whitney (the highest point in the Lower 48 US stat