Cho La Pass

Morning arrives and the struggle to answer the call of nature by having to leave the warm cocoon of the sleeping bag. The clunk, clunk of other hikers in the hallway urges one to make the first move into the cold, early morning.
A hot pot of tea awaits in the kitchen. The cold air stings the lungs and freezes anything not covered in layers. Breakfast is quickly consumed and the heavy packs shouldered as we venture out into the brisk morning.
Ama Dablam stands majestically in the morning sun. We hike along the valley making our way to the head where we will begin our 600 meter climb to the top of Cho La Pass. Clouds begin to build in the valley and plays along the peaks and valleys with rays of sun breaking through. The clouds and sun play around the mountains, creating dramatic scenery ever changing. The camera lens is often pulled back to the same mountain that the clouds and light have transformed.
Fresh snow fallen the previous night is quickly melting in the morning sun. Water rolls down rock faces and rocks can be heard crashing down the mountains.
Trekkers making their way up the pass are trying to beat the clouds to the top to get a clear view of the mountains and valleys behind and in front.
Glaciers cling to the mountainside, inviting long pauses to inspect their many elements.
A few short hours of climbing through the snow put us on top of a high pass, at 5430 meters. A group of trekkers are celebrating their arrival, but few are prepared for the steep, icy decent. Some express surprise at finding snow on this pass, others anxiously slide their way down the steepest sections.
It is a long walk to our final destination of Gokyo Lakes. It requires a long traverse of the Ngozumpa Glacier, making our way up and down the loose debris. Often the sounds of the living glacier require a moment of pause. Views of Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Taboche, and Cholatse come in view and inspire thoughts of climbing big mountains.
A quaint tea house is found for our lodging over the next few days. The family warmly welcomes us into their home and enjoys a a conversation about our lives in America and how that compares to their lives in Nepal. These are honest, salt of the earth people who have warmly invited us to share a moment in time with them.
Namaste
WanderJill