Day 6-7 Chhukhung
Another wonderful day with beautiful weather. We arrived in Chukhung (15,500 ft) around 11am after a short 3 hour walk from Dingboche. After lunch we did a day hike to the top of Chukhung Ri, very high at 17,800 feet. It was very window and cold all the way to the top. The views were spectacular! We moved VERY slowly in the thin air. I was slightly dizzy due to the altitude, but it was minor. One of the other guys turned back early because of a strong altitude head ache. After dinner I went crazy chasing an incredible sunset. The star of the show was 8,500 meter Lhotse, 4th highest peak in the world. Now you can see some of these photos. It was so cold out by this time, when I was done taking photos my hands were numb.
Day 7 - Island Peak Base Camp
Today we did a day hike to Island Peak base camp (16,300 feet) and a large lake. We turned around early because we were hungry for lunch. We were out for 5.5 hours and got back to Chukhung for lunch by 2. Speaking of lunch, it was pizza today! The lodge at Chukhung was one of my favorites and so was their food. After lunch was spent resting and preparing for the first of the 3 high passes of our trek. We depart at 6 AM tomorrow morning to go over Kongma La. This is going to be the highest point of our trek, over 18,000 feet.
Days 6 and 7
Day 6 brought us to Chhukhung with an afternoon hike up Chhukhung Ri. Day 7 took us to Island Peak Base Camp and back to Chhukhung.
Chukhung Resort
Each day Dil and Krishna, our porters, would go ahead. Here they are with Lakpa, our guide, meeting us at Chukhung.
Ascending Chukhung Ri
We are clmbing Chhukung Ri on a steep dirt trail. It doesn't look like much, but, because of the altitude, we walked very slowly.
Valley and Ama Dablam
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Orange Bundle
Mike is bundled up as he admires the view on Chhukung Ri, surrounded by snowy peaks.
Chhukhung Ri Viewpoint
A friend admires the view of Ama Dablam from Chhukhung Ri.
Ama Dablam (22,349 ft)
A friend stands at the viewpoint at Chhukhung Ri, (18,238 ft) with Ama Dablam rising to 22,349 ft babove and the valley far below.
Preparing Dinner
Back in our lodge, I capture a few photos of dinner prep - great food!
Fries
This was a common a delicious item on all menus.
Chapatis
A stack of fresh chapatis and vegetables waiting to be served.
Plate of Fries
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Stormy Lhotse
"Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world at 8,516 metres, after Mount Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga. Part of the Everest massif, Lhotse is connected to the latter peak via the South Col. Lhotse means “South Peak” in Tibetan" - wikipedia
Lhotse (B&W version)
It was cold and my hands nearly froze off. I loved the play of light as the clouds moved over Lhotse.
Lhotse
It was cold and my hands nearly froze off. I loved the play of light as the clouds moved over Lhotse (27,940 ft), taken from the village of Chhukhung (15,500 ft).
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Lhotse Light
It was very cold out and my hands nearly froze off taking these photos. I loved the play of light as the clouds moved over Lhotse
April 10
The next day we took a short and easy walk to Isand Peak base camp. This is a look back at Chhukhung Ri, which we climbed the previous day. Chhukhung Ri is the rounded peak.
Island Peak Base Camp
The base camp is the small grouping of tents below the moraine.
Crossing Paths
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Chhukhung
Back to Chhukhung for a late lunch. This was one of our favorite places: clean rooms and great food.
Way to Chhukhung Ri
This is the view from the village of Chhukhung (15,774 feet) to the top of Chhukhung Ri, the pointy dirt hump above 17,581 feet.
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Windy Peak
Wisps of cloud blow from the peak of Ama Dablam.
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Ama Dablam Sunset II
Ama Dablam (22,349 ft) was the most striking peak of the Three Passes of Everest trek. This photo was taken from the village of Chhukhung (15,500 ft) in Sagarmatha National Park. When I took this photo I was running around like a maniac in this wonderful light. Dinner was on the table in the lodge, but that would wait. The light wouldn't.
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