Rest Day in Tengboche

I slept well… fairly well, anyway, with few dog-barking interruptions. At one point, circa 3 AM, I looked out my window and found that the fog had cleared. I was gobsmacked by the view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam in the starlight. This view never gets old for me. But, with the intense cold in my room, I was in no mood to try to capture the moment with my camera.

Fortunately, the favorable weather held until sunrise, and I was able to shoot the scene with stills and time lapse video (to be uploaded when I get home).

Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar. Awesome.

Plume ripping off Everest's summit. — Plume ripping off Everest’s summit.

Ama Dablam and prayer flags on a ridge above the village.

Nicky and Bob take in the early morning rays. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Emily Johnston, MD. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Team Awesome... Minus Steven Hess... (Photo: Justin Merle) — Team Awesome… Minus Steven Hess… (Photo: Justin Merle)

The lengths I go to for time lapse video... actually, the result was worth it. (Photo: Justin Merle) — The lengths I go to for time lapse video… actually, the result was worth it. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Emily hates the sun. She just hates it. (Photo: Justin Merle)

These outbuildings have been refurbished since we were here last.

A monk at the monastery gate. (Photo: Justin Merle)

We stretched our legs with a short hike up the ridge that runs behind our tea house. We wanted to get to an even 13,000 feet, which took about half an hour. Spectacular views all around, and a fun time.

Heading towards the start of the ridge. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Jerry, Roger, Bob, and Eddie prepare to hike up the ridge. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Ascending the ridge above the monastery. (Photo: Justin Merle)

One of many chortens on the ridge. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Mingma Tenzing: very serious. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Cristiano makes this look easy. (Photo: Jusitn Merle)

Mingma Tenzing's glamor shot. (Photo: Justin Merle) — Mingma Tenzing’s glamor shot. (Photo: Justin Merle)

This motion-stabilized 4K video doesn't just shoot itself. (Photo: Justin Merle) — This motion-stabilized 4K video doesn’t just shoot itself. (Photo: Justin Merle)

The monastery from the ridge above. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Justin is infatuated with my garb. Can you blame him? Note the tongue.... (Photo: Justin Merle) — Justin is infatuated with my garb. Can you blame him? Note the tongue…. (Photo: Justin Merle)

This is a bit more dignified. A bit. (Photo: Justin Merle)

A helicopter heads towards EBC. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Rafa in a pensive moment. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Siva's own caption: How did Justin come up with this angle? (Photo: Justin Merle) — Siva’s own caption: How did Justin come up with this angle? (Photo: Justin Merle)

Emily and Lakpa shooting the breeze. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Heading back to our tea house. (Photo: Justin Merle)

Tania gets ready for the mother of all closeups. (Photo: Justin Merle)

We also sat in on the afternoon prayer session in the monastery, which was solemn and interesting. No photos are Hearing the monks’ chanting in the ornate room, the very center of Buddhism in Nepal, was a special experience.