24 Apr 2017 – Updating Phakding – Namche

Fri 7Apr 0645hrs: Phakding 2,620m/8,595ft – Namche 3,450m/22,318ft 12k.

Still along DudhKoshi, up thru’ rhododendron, fir, Himalayan pine, cedar forest with the view of Kusum Kanguru/Kangaroo 6,369m/20,895ft & Thamserku Mts 6,623m/21,719ft.

Long suspension bridge, and wow! the first sighting of Sagarmatha/Everest 8,848m/29,018ft world’s tallest mt and I survived to see it with my own 2eyes!! (even when it is from a distance).  Another bucket list item accomplished.

Passing by the village of Monjo. Break@Buddha Lodge for lunch and to air my feet.

Long lines@Namche checkpoint, smart of Kumar to call one of the porters who had arrived@Namche with the group and our baggage. He came to stand in line while poor Kumar had to accompany me so that I could slowly but surely reach the ups ups ups to Namche by 1630hrs.

2 nights here@Kongde Lodge to rest and acclimatize. Met up with a Norwegain, Ulrik Hoksnes Karlsen, hiking solo who works in Shanghai and knows Magnus – small world. He also has a twin bro working in SIN!

Sat 8Apr: a visit to Namche Market and the museum before heading another 400m to acclimatize.

The group was flying their kites and scaring the birds 🙂

They proceeded on to Everest View Lodge while our guide Kumar, porter Samip and I decided to nap instead of climbing. Headed back to the lodge for another night.

Only pix I have of the whole group@Namche Bakery where the older bro Samip (24) so touchingly cut up the food for his younger bro (14). Clockwise: Sam, younger porter, me, Lum, Calvin, Kumar&Samip. Sam bought a pair of mittens and I, a pair of booties (booties pix credits to Calvin).

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals – Zig Ziglar