After breakfast of toast and jam, we left the teahouse and were back on the main trail towards Lobuche.
We climbed up the same hill behind the village yesterday. But later, instead of climbing east to the peak of Nangkartshang, we continued north into a gently inclined plateau. I turned around, bidding goodbye to the majestic Ama Dablam and the surrounding peaks. It's another beautiful day on the mountain with magnificent blue sky. Ahhhhh... I can live here forever. Ok no, I love my city life. But I'd love to come again.
Near and far, I could see a number of groups on the plateau. All trekking in a relaxed pace. We leapfrogged each other as we all keep stopping; either to catch our breath, soak up the amazing view, take photos or the toilet breaks. No, there's no toilet along the plateau so I had to empty my always-full-bladder in the open behind boulders. No time to be ashamed cos we were all in the same shoes hahaha.
We crossed a metal bridge over a freezing river and arrived at Dughla (4,620 metres) just before 11am. There's no other village between here and Lobuche, so early lunch it is. Just beyond the small village, well it's hardly a village cos there's only a big teahouse and handful of restaurants and shops, the steep Dughla Pass awaited everyone.
Dughla
fried potato vege and hot lemon for lunch
An hour later, we were ready for the big climb that lay ahead. This is the toughest part of the day's hike. Climbing up the 4,830 metres steep mountain pass, I went really slow with the pace, and found the hike much easier.
At the top of Dughla Pass, there was a memorial park for those climbers and sherpas who lost their lives on Everest. Prayer flags adorned the stone memorials, some with plaques detailing their accomplishments, and others no more than a simple stack of rocks.
After almost 6 hours of trekking; including lunch break, and the frequent stops, and me going at a snail's pace, we finally arrived in the tiny settlement of Lobuche just before 2pm.
you need to pay Rs 700 accommodation fee in advance here
Checking in at New EBC Guesthouse, we all sat in the dining hall, resting while having our afternoon tea.
Debbie, Ken and I then went out to explore the little village. Also cos both of them wanted to find network signal after I told them I managed to get connected on top of Nangkartshang. Although it felt good to disconnect once in a while, there's a need to update our loved ones that we are safe and still doing good on the remote mountain. We went to an open area, walking around trying to find that one spot where the single bar would miraculously appear. But nope, no network signal detected in Dingboche, at least for NCell. Ken were so desperate he bought the Everest Link later.
no network signal up here
snow-covered peak everywhere
Lobuche
world's highest bakery
garlic soup to cure the headache
Laying on my bed in the dark that night, I was anxious. One sleep away from Everest Base Camp!
Elevation at Dingboche: 4,410 m
Elevation at Lobuche: 5,030 m
Elevation change: +620 m
Distance: 7 km
Duration: 6 hours
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