Trip Reports

Everest 3 Peaks 3 Passes - 15 Oct to 8 Nov '16

Written by Leader Alun Richardson, November 2016

This was my second time on this wonderful and challenging trek. My first attempt was thwarted by a sudden heavy snowfall that prevented the team getting over the Cho La, but this time we were fortunate to have dry weather, mostly clear skies and little wind. The persistent dry weather did however create dust and we had to be extra careful to cover our mouths whenever dust was present.

After the exciting flight to Lukla runway, we met with our Sirdar Dawa to begin the trek. After a delay getting our bags sorted the first few days were spent reaching Namche Bazaar and then Thame. At both of these villages we spent an important day acclimatising at the Everest Hotel and the local monastery before the first big challenge to come - the Renjo La. The camp at the half way lakes made the crossing of the pass a more pleasant experience as we coped with the lower oxygen at 5,200m. Everyone made it over the first pass and we had incredible views of Everest that was wonderfully clear, even at late morning.

From the lakeside village of Gokyo, the small peak of Gokyo Ri was our next objective and the team went to the top to see the sunset over Everest. Initially it was enveloped in clouds, but then the mountains cleared to give us a spectacular view. The keen photographers stayed later to capture the milky way over Everest.

We left the delights of Gokyo and crossed the huge glacier to reach Dzongla - our staging post for crossing the Cho La. The pass was in good dry conditions and the ascent and descent to Dzongla went smoothly.

After Dzongla we joined the standard trek leading to Everest Base Camp and headed for the famous peak of Kala Pattar and its close up view of Everest, again at sunset. The next day we visited the site of the Base Camp for those attempting to climb Everest. We descended to Lobuje for the night.

From Lobuje we crossed the Khumbu Glacier and the Kongma La and then descended to Chukkung. Although crossing the pass is a long day the views from the col are well worth the effort as you look across mountain lakes to Makalu, Baruntse and Ama Dablam.

The next day some of the team ascended Chuckkung Ri while some members chose a more leisurely walk to Dingboche. The following day we started the trek back to Lukla via the cake and coffee shops of Namche.

The team did have a few issues with coughs and colds, emphasising the need to look after yourself before and during the trip. Despite the colds it was an extremely successful trip, with a fun atmosphere and smoothly run by Dawa Sherpa and his team.

This trek is a tougher proposition than the standard route into Everest Base Camp, but it is well worth the training and effort required. It gets one away from the crowds and the views are outstanding.

Well done to everyone who made it such a relaxing and enjoyable trip and here’s to Annie who returned to prove something to herself and ended up showing us all a few things about the joy for life.

Alun Richardson, Expedition and Trek Leader « Previous report | Next report »

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