on November 3, 2019
This was our second time visiting Khumbu area, the land of Everest having completed the maiden three passes fastpack last year. Our plan over 13 days was to cross massive valley systems using three passes; Renjo La (5,360m), Cho La (5,420m) & Kongma La (5,535m), a non -technical climb of Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,575ft), a walk to Everest Base Camp and possibly climb Kala Patar (5550m/18,208ft). Our team consisted of six members; Maude (Switzerland), Baptiste (Switzerland), Shane (England), Pasang (Nepal), Anuj (Nepal) and Sudeep (Nepal) and all were ready for the challenge in the mountains. However, the first challenge came in as we waited for hours for weather to improve for our flight to take off!
Better late than never, our bird was on the sky. As we got off on Lukla we could feel a cool mountain breeze that had us excited. We had a quick lunch at Yak Hotel in Lukla and headed off the trail. Our original plan was to get to Namche but since we had a late start to stayed at Hotel Ama Dablam in Tok Tok for the first night. On our second day we moved up the Dudh Koshi valley and made it to Namche for lunch and went on an acclimatization hike to Khumjung with amazing views of Thamserku and Ama Dablam.
We left Namche, a starting point of the loop on our route (below) heading westwards towards Thame to do the route in clockwise direction. As we moved higher we were in awe of our surrounding; amazing views of river valleys and mountains. As we were following safe rate of ascent guidelines with acclimatization plans, coupled that with a strong team each day of trek was completed early, usually around noon. That allowed members of our team to explore side trails including but not limited to Sundar Peak ~ 5361m, trail towards Nagpa La with a glimpse of Cho Oyu (8188m).
We crossed our first pass Renjo La 5360m in a snowy and cloudy conditions with a great view of Gokyo.
After Renjo La other two passes came thick and fast. We had a clearest of days crossing Cho La (photo below). In between Cho La and Kongma La 5535m members of team coconut made a side like to Kalapatther 5550 m and Everest Base Camp 5,380 m with views of Everest and Nuptse. After crossing Kongma La we followed a tricky technical descent along the river valley to reach Dingboche just in time before the snow.
The adventure in the Khumbu was one to remember! Over 13 days, Team Coconut clocked ~ 150k, crossing three passes; Renjo La (5,360m), Cho La (5,420m) & Kongma La (5,535m). Made a side trek to Everest Base Camp and Kalapatther. We had a great time on the trail, camaraderie among team members and fellow trekkers was commendable, spectacular peaks kept our head looking high, cold passes kept us moving, warm dining halls cozied us to the night, had a taste of Tibetan bread & tsampa and tihar (a hindu festival of lights) festivities greeted us in Lukla and in Kathmandu. We would like to thank members of team Coconut, all the logistics partner, especially father and son duo of Chewang and Pasang from Lukla, Yak Hotel for making the trip run smooth. More pictures below. #teamHAL #brewadventure
