Everest Trail Hike Day 8

Most visitors to the Everest region pass through Lukla. It is the gateway to the frontier and the last town you visit on the way out. It is a sprawling town just a cut above towns further up the valley due to being the center of commerce.

Everest Region Hike Day 7

Today we began the hike back to Lukla and the airport. In 3.5 hours of walking we covered the same ground in reverse as day 2 and 3 together, going from Namche to Phakding.

Everest Region Hike Day 6

As has been my habit, I rise when the first faint light of dawn illuminates the mountains and go for a walk before breakfast. Everest looks lovely in morning light.

Everest Region Hike Day 5

Today I was a much hardier trekker and I think I have Tang to thank.

Everest Region Hike Day 4

Today we set out on a five-hour day hike that took us to the highest elevation of our trek and presented closer views of Everest.

Everest Region Hike Day 3

We left Monju and enter the Sagarmathu National Park, which includes Everest. We had an easy hike along the Milk River for about an hour. At a fork in the river, we ascended to a high suspension bridge and thus began a tough 2-hour trek up a set of steep switchbacks through scenery so magnificent that an undisciplined person could easily drain a camera battery.

Everest Region Hike Day 2

I starting writing this post on a sunny afternoon patio in Monju (our second night stop), looking down the steep mountain gorge we hiked up this morning. Next to the patio are two solar water heaters and a solar cooker. The patio buzzes with many languages as trekkers lounge between hikes. A glass of local beer sits on the table.

Everest Region Hike Day 1

The landing in Lukla is like no other. There is no margin for error.