Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch
October 25, 2014 – Thame – Going Off the Beaten Path!
If one is in Namche on a Saturday morning the weekly market is not to be missed. It starts very early in the morning because shoppers much return to their homes in the mountains after purchases are made.
Barb at the Namche Market
Travis at the Namche Market
We saw some fascinating items for sale, mostly marketed for the locals, such as rice, vegetables and meat, weekly supplies for the lodges. We then started our hike towards Thame, leaving the traditional Everest Base Camp trek and going west towards the Nangpa La, the pass to Tibet.
In Thame, we stayed at the lodge of Dr. Kami Temba Sherpa, chief physician at the Khunde Hospital. Dr. Kami has just returned from a visit to Canada, so we felt lucky to get to spend some time with him in his home.
As we walked out of Namche to the west we walked past the Namche Monastery
Our view back to Namche as we said goodbye
Leaving Namche to Thame
Leaving the traditional trail to Base Camp and hiking towards Thame
Bridges on the way to Thame
Travis arriving in Thame
In Thame, we also met an old friend of Berg Adventures groups, Ang Pasang. Pasang who lost his fingers to frostbite years ago on Cho Oyu, is a Thanka painter. His work is beautiful and it depicts scenes from daily Sherpa life as well as symbols of Buddhism meant to bring good fortune and mindful presence to homes where it is displayed.
Ken with Pasang – he bought a stunning Thanka
Bob with Pasang and one of his beautiful Thanka paintings