Lobuche is a great training peak for a variety of reasons, including elevation, exposure, mixed terrain, and relative safety. Plus, it is very beautiful! Last year we had scads of new powder on the route,in fact we had to delay our ascent by a couple of days for this reason. This year, all is dry, … Continue reading Lobuche High Camp
Just as last year, we were fortunate to be involved in a Puja, or blessing ceremony, at EBC. The purpose of the Puja is to ask respectfully for safe passage on the upper mountain from Miolangsangma, the goddess who lives there and presides over all that happens here. There have been two tragic seasons leading … Continue reading Puja and a Walk
This is one of my favorite days of the trip: Technical training in the lower Khumbu Glacier. No new information, but a nice refresher and way to build our confidence as we get ready tackle the higher ice on Lobuche and Everest. Last year this was a blast, but even more fun today. Something must … Continue reading Climbers on Ice
A restful day at EBC. I slept poorly, but can feel that I am almost over this stupid viral URI. Auspicious day to unpack, improve the tent, take a shower, and establish contact with my family. I was even able to put up a blog post from the toasty confines of my own tent, true … Continue reading Settlin’ In
Big day today, as we moved from LBC to EBC. I remember this day well from last year: Long, stunningly beautiful, painful, exhausting. Pretty much a repeat of that experience… except there is NO SNOW on the route, temperatures are a bit warmer, and I am not nearly as ill as I was last time. … Continue reading Welcome Home… Again
