Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch
October 12, 2012 – Phakding to Namche
Everyone reported a great night sleep in our cozy lodge rooms along the banks of the Dudh Kosi River. There is something about the sound of rushing water that always seems to bring good sleep.
The steel suspension bridges are always adorned
with prayer flags and khata scarves left by
Sherpasto bring good luck to travelers.
The group was hiking by 9:00 AM. The trail to Namche Bazar and the Everest Region does not seem very crowded this season. We took mid-morning tea at a favorite tea shop of ours. Our trail throughout the morning led us along the Dudh Kosi River and we crossed suspension bridges high over the river on several occasions. Crossing bridges is not exactly Alix or Roxanne’s favorite thing to do. Each of them gets a bit queasy on the river crossings, but they both grin and bear it as best they can.
By late morning we had reached the entrance to Sagamartha National Park. We took lunch in the village of Jorsale and after lunch we crossed one more bridge and began our climb up the infamous “Namche Hill”. Fred, Wendy, Gerry and Liz were out front with the Sherpa guide Phinso. The rest of us hung back and set a somewhat slower pace. We’d all reached lower Namche by mid-afternoon. Today is Friday so when passed the Namche Market we found that set up for the Saturday morning market was in full swing, it was almost as if the market had begun.
We enjoyed watching the set up as we walked by toward The Panaroma Lodge, which will be our home here in Namche for the next two nights and again when we are on our way out of the Khumbu. The five new deluxe rooms at Panaroma have just been completed and Sherpa Jonbu and Lakpa Doma proudly told this Berg Adventures group that they would be the first guest in the new rooms. We loved them, the same comfort that we have become accustomed to. I particularly liked the electric blanket on my bed.
We enjoyed a stunning view of Tamserku soon after began hiking from Phakding.
Time for a break along the trail
Left: Tina and Jim on the trail. Tina was having a great time hiking today and she proposed that our group theme song should be “The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends”;
Right: Sharon and Jim on the trail
Lauren on the trail
Clayton would like for you to think that he was carrying this load, but actually he was not.
Just before we reached the Namche Hill we saw the final bridge that we would cross for the day.
Temba and Clayton stepping off the bridge
The view from the bridge of the confluence of the Imja Khola and the Bhode Kosi Rivers was beautiful.
You can buy all the necessities along the trail. Coke, Fanta, Red Bull, Snicker Bars, Potato Crisps and San Miguel Beer.
These new rubbish and recycling bins were placed along the trails earlier this year. A great addition.
As we entered Namche we could see that Saturday Market was already being set up.
This young man was enjoying playing with his homemade bow and arrow.
The vendors were busy preparing for the busy market.
Goods are spread on the ground by dozens of different merchants.
We saw this nice looking “show goat”, but we had to wonder if he was long for this world since he had been brought to market.
Left: Fresh meat was being brought to sell.; Right: Apparently this fellow had a couple of extra Khurki Knives for sale.
We saw a welcome map to Namche as we entered town.
Namche on Friday, October 12
Rita at Panaroma lodge presented this Berg Adventures EBC trekking group with a “Welcome Back” cake at dinner – a great way to celebrate a perfect day of trekking and the beginning of a great adventure.