26 MARCH, 2013 - MONJO

The goraks bid us adieu as we depart the Himalayan valley of Khumjung for Monjo. These massive blue-black birds are significantly larger than ravens and take one back to their worst fears of scenes from Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’!  In essence, we are retracing our steps to Namche. While there we have an hour’s shopping spree through the alleyways of this bazaar town, hoping that children in Calgary will appreciate these unique purchases. Onward with our descent.  It is apparent that the 2013 season of trekkers is now in full bloom.  What previously was a 2 hour winding dirt trail course is now a shoulder to shoulder amble interspersed with donkey load adjustments and overly enthusiastic trekkers hoping to finish that much sooner by jumping from stone to stone.

Khumjung Valley with Khumbila – a holy mountain in the background

We give thanks as we cross the prayer-flagged bridges that we are on our homeward bound hike.  Finally into Monjo (2810m) with another  fabulous room in a tea house … this time with an attached bathroom and hot shower . Tendi our guide has yet again outdone himself with these arrangements.    A race course sign is posted outside of the tea house for the “3rd Everest Ultra 65km” running on March 30,2013.  This is definitely not on our agenda!