Nepal

Mount Manaslu (26,760 ft)

The morning sun shines on Mount Manaslu above the village of Lho.

Autumn Color

Leaving Lho, we followed this small creek.

Stupa and Mt Manaslu

... at Shayla

Sunrise on Mt Manaslu

This is the 8th highest peak in the world, located in Nepal. The peak is 8,163 meters (26,781 ft).

Bimtang

This settlement serves trekkers crossing Larkla Pass.

Trail to Samar

The next day we were on this spectacular trail to Samar.

Dudh Kosi

The trail to Everest Base Camp follows the Dudh Kosi (River) to Namache Bazar. At lower elevations the forest is lush and there are many villages. We started and ended our Three Passes of Everest Trek along this section of trail.

Valley and Ama Dablam

Windy Peak

Wisps of cloud blow from the peak of Ama Dablam.

Ama Dablam Sunset

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.

Wispy Cape on Chhukhung Ri

The star of the show at sunset was Ama Dablam (22,349 ft). This is another view of Ama Dablam the evening that I was running around like crazy taking photos with dinner on the table in the lodge. To save weight on the trek, I didn't bring a tripod, so I rested the camera on a rock to steady it.

Ama Dablam Sunset

Ama Dablam (22,349 ft), taken from the village of Chhukhung (15,500 ft) in Sagarmatha National Park, the Everest region of Nepal.

Last Light Ama Dablam

The last sun reflects on the tip of Ama Dablam.

Frosty Morning

We started at 6:30 from Chhukhung, on the Three Passes of Everest Trek in Nepal, just after sunrise, to give plenty of time to cross Kongma La Pass (18,155 feet). The morning was cold and frosty. This river crossing was icy. Ama Dablam towers above us.

High Camp

High camp on the route to cross Kongma La at 18,155 feet. Ama Dablam towers in the distance at 22,349 feet.

Trekkers

Ama Dablam towers behind, on the way to Kongma La.

Yak with a View

This yak and the little one hiding behind it have a commanding view of the Khumbu Glacier.

Fresh Snow

The sun rises over Dzongla as we depart for Cho La Pass (17,782′), the 2nd of the Three Passes of Everest Trek. A beautiful dusting of snow remains from the previous day. Ama Dablam again rises to 22,250 feet above us.

Gokyo

As we begin to climb Gokyo Ri, I continually looked back and took photos of the village of Gokyo growing more distant below us.

Himalyan Brothers

Everest and Lhotse

Mount Everest

We are climbing the 3rd and final pass of the Three Passes of Everest Trek. Mount Everest dominates the view behind us. Renjo La Pass lies ahead at 17,585 feet.

Endless Peaks

Lake Phewa