Everest Base Camp Trekking May 2011

Last spring, I had the opportunity to go on three wonderful trips. Two of them were short trips to Namche Bazaar, and the third one was an exciting adventure to Everest Base Camp.

The journey to Everest Base Camp began on the 30th of April with two lovely British women. We had an early morning flight to Lukla at 6:30 AM. Arriving at the airport at 5:30 AM, we went through all the necessary procedures before boarding the plane to Lukla. Unfortunately, the weather in Kathmandu and Lukla wasn’t great that day. There was heavy rain in the morning, causing our flight to be delayed. Finally, at around 11:35 AM, all the passengers boarded the aircraft, and we took off. As we flew into the clouds, it became a bit scary since we couldn’t see anything. Thankfully, the pilot decided to divert the plane back to Kathmandu. It was a relief when I recognized the Kathmandu Valley and we landed safely at the airport after 45 minutes.

We had to wait for another two and a half hours at the airport until we boarded the plane again around 3:45 PM. This time, the sky was much clearer, and the view from the plane was amazing. The landscape looked fresh and beautiful after the rain. Finally, we landed in Lukla at a quarter past four, feeling delighted to be there. We spent the first night in Lukla.

The next day, on the 1st of May, our actual trek began early in the morning. The first seven days of the trek, until Lobuche, were fantastic. Every day was filled with enjoyment and fun. Rachel and Gill, the British women, were wonderful travel companions. I had never met anyone who laughed so much and radiated such happiness. They were truly amazing travelers. The weather wasn’t perfect initially, with rain and partly cloudy days. However, we were incredibly lucky because we got to see the majestic mountains every morning or late in the afternoon. The day hike to Everest View Hotel and Khumjung village was fantastic.

The view from Everest View Hotel was remarkable. The mighty Mt. Everest, Nuptse wall, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam were looking stunning. Also, the day we summited Nagartsang Peak (5083m), the view was absolutely breathtaking, and both days’ weather was just perfect. The day we trekked to Everest Base Camp was also beautiful. In the morning, it was foggy and cold, but as the day progressed, the sky cleared up, and we had a fantastic walk to the base camp. Rachel and Gill enjoyed it tremendously. The base camp was bustling with tents and climbers, along with their crews.

Everyone seemed busy, tired, yet optimistic. We spent about 30 minutes there. I was hoping to find my cousin’s brother, who was involved in Everest expeditions, to give him some energy drinks. Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate him, and he didn’t answer my call either. I carried the drinks back to Gorakshep, feeling disappointed.

The following day, on May 9th, we climbed Kalapatar, which stands at 5,545 meters. The morning weather was perfect, with clouds below us and the magnificent sight of mountains and blue sky above. Gill mentioned that she was struggling that morning, but I didn’t notice it much since climbing above 5,000 meters can be challenging for anyone. Both Rachel and Gill did remarkably well, considering how fit they were. We reached the top at 8 AM and had an unforgettable time. The view was absolutely breathtaking, especially with the clouds below us, creating a picture-perfect scene. I will always remember Rachel’s delightful laughter on top of Kalapatar.

Our journey through the Cho-la Pass didn’t go as planned due to a lost day at the start. So, we decided to head back to Phorche and reached Lukla a day earlier than expected. Surprisingly, we had the chance to meet the American Ambassador at Phorche, and we even stayed at the same lodge as them for the night. It was an incredible experience! The three of us had a brief conversation with the Ambassador and his wife, and later in the evening, we were greeted by a fantastic Sherpa dance called “shyebru.”

The rest of our journey was peaceful and enjoyable, all the way to Lukla. However, Rachel had a little difficulty with the heights. Since the trail was high above steep cliffs, she found it a bit challenging when we trekked to Phorche and Namche Bazaar. But she took it in stride and turned it into a fun experience, walking with a smile on her face and laughing throughout the hike. On the morning of May 13th, we hopped on a flight back to Kathmandu.

Overall, it was an amazing trip with wonderful people. We had a lot of fun, and even now, it brings a smile to my face when I think about our trek.

If anyone is thinking of beginning this amazing Everest Base Camp Trek and wishes to step foot into the historic landmark Everest Base Camp, please join Blossom Expeditions for a lifetime of memorable journey in Nepal’s Himalayas.

Further Details
Blossom Expeditions
P.O. Box No. 21101, Kathmandu, Nepal.
blossomexpeditions@gmail.com
info@blossomexpeditions.com
www.blossomexpeditions.com
Whatsapp/Viber. 977-9841454462

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