The Everest Base Camp train of trekkers is a mind boggling tangle of trekkers going both directions, yaks fully loaded, ponies trotting along, and porters ladened with a heavy load. There is an art to negotiating the winding path so as to continue moving without long delays.
Arrival at Gorek Shep is a cauldron of chaos and beauty. Pumori rises tall and majestically over the village. A scattering of lodges offer rudimentary accommodations. A bed for the night is difficult to find as tour companies reserve blocks of rooms. This village represents a collection of trekkers from around the globe, each excited to experience this high elevation adventure.
Our 2 hour walk to Everest Base Camp is strenuous. Care is taken to keep the heart rate down to a slow trot. Every movement seemingly requires every ounce of energy one can muster. A small hill requires the same amount of effort as climbing a peak.
Everest Base Camp is a collection of expedition and kitchen tents surrounded by the Khumbu Ice Field, the Khumbu glacier and the base of Pumori. The bright blue skies reflect off the ice and snow covered mountains. Activity around the Camp is focused on the preparation for the climbing season which will start in a few short weeks. Sherpas are busy building the Chorten that will be blessed by a llama who is walking up from Pangboche. A blessing ceremony will mark the official start of the climbing season.
Long moments of silence allow us to drink in the full sensory experience of being in this special place. Tears of joy run down the face. Experience of the other’s emotional response enhances the beauty of the moment. Sharing this with The Bearded One is the best of all.
Namaste
WanderJill
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