Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch

May 10, 2008 – Leaving Namche Bazaar

Deke got his wish this morning! I looked out from my room at 5:00 AM and saw perfectly clear Himalayan skies all around Namche Bazaar. The Sherpas brought our coffee extra early this morning. By 5:45 AM we were walking up the path that leads from Panorama Lodge to the National Park overlook.

The big peaks were all in view as we walked higher. First Kwongde and Tamserku, then the sharp finger of Ama Dablam shot upward in the sky up valley to the east. Then we saw Tawoche, and soon after that Everest and Lhotse. It was a thrilling early morning hike!

The look on Doc’s face and in his eyes as he looked up at Everest is something I will never forget.

All the big peaks are to the east of us, so in this early morning light the photos will not be good. We will get great opportunities to photograph Ama Dablam and Everest in the days to come however. This morning we got good group photos looking back to the west and while we were along the trail above Namche.

Today is Saturday Market day in Namche! We just had our omelet and toast breakfast. This morning we had an addition to our breakfast, leftover banana pie from dinner last night. More than half was still left from last night, but we finished it at breakfast. Our duffel bags have been packed since before breakfast. The yaks are being loaded and we will begin hiking now. Market is on the way, but soon we will be out of Namche on the beautiful trail that leads us to Thame. Stay tuned for our reports from Thame and all along the trail to Everest Base Camp.