17 MARCH, 2013 - REST DAY

Acclimatization day at Dingboche!!

Today we are on the “Buns of Steel” programme. With every step upward glutes are firming and lungs are acclimatizing. From Dingboche you have the backside view of Ama Dablam. Like any great beauty , this perspective is far less ravishing unless perhaps one is speaking of Pippa Middleton!

Hiking upwards Nagakarsang Peak

We reach a height of 4600 metres in the best of health. The peace on the mountain however is disturbed by several less fortunate hikers retching in the junipers. They attribute their distress to a fatty breakfast but surely it is the first sign of altitude sickness. Yet again the slow steady approach from the middleaged twins proves successful.

Mt. Amadablam from different angle

The vista from this height is vast. Island Peak, Chola Pass, a rocky monastery inset into the cliff walls and long used tracks and trails are all visible. It reminds me of Jean Auel’s “Clan of the Cave Bear” as you look out and see clusters of humans trudging along spider vein paths headed for far off settlements. Cam barely restrains himself from launching into some primitive gibberish dialect!

Panoram View of Mt. Tawauche and Mt. Cholatse

Our guide, Ang Tendi Sherpa, over the past 15 years has been trekking and leading expeditions with many of the significant names associated with Mt.Everest: David Brearshears, Ed Viesturs and Sandy Pittman. He has considerable safety training and a calm demeanor of expertise.We feel most confident with him as we commence the approach to Everest Base Camp over the next several days.

Missing you darlings

loads of love
a.c. xx