“Hard Hard Day to Lobuche”
Oct 21, 2023
Last night was full analysis of today’s route thanks to Jason and All Trails. Elevation makes everything hard hard hard. I tried not to think as I climbed into my sleeping bag at 7:45pm
Morning started great as both Jason and I were able to chat briefly with Kelly and Daisey. Can’t believe we‘ve been away from hone for 12 days now. I did get a bit emo but time to suck it up
My head felt a bit in the fog this morning. Noticed that the appetite dropped. Blook oxygen and hewrt rate is good (94 O2 and 79 BPM) in the morning. Bending down to tie shoe laces takes the breath away. Packing my sleepibg bag in its pouch is an effort.
We started on time. Boots on the trail at 8am sharp. First 3.6 miles pretty flat “aka “Nepali Flats” as we headed West towards Thukla. The views in the valley were fantastoc. We stopped for pics.
As we reached Thukla for lunch (2 hrs 45 mins) I observed feeling sleepy while walking. Does not feel normal. The cold wind and the sunshine plus altitude was doing something. I kept moving, at times remembering names on the flags and their fight to push myself thru. I admit, I got teary eyed a few times in my moments of quiet.
Lunch was at Yak Hotel Thukla (ele: 4960m) Everyone had stew and Veg chowmein. . Everyone was feeling the altitude just a little bit, except Jason (!!)
After lunch we started up a very very steep hill leading us to Thukla Pass, It was a killer. My brain was shut off. I was just looking at the boots in front of me left-foot-right foot-left foot-right.
Thukla pass is a spiritual place for Everest climbers and those who follow. Its the location of the Everest Memorial. Having followed the May 1996 Everest disaster as covered by Jon Krakauer and the film “Into Thin Air” standing by Rob Hall‘s and Scott Fischer’s memorial seemed unreal. Several other memorials honoring Sherpas and other climbers who lost their lives was quite something. The location is perfect too: up in the sky Looking at the peaks. We spent about 30 mins here then descended in the valley towards Lobuche.
Along the way we came across the helicopter crash debris from the very day we flew from Kathmandu to Lukla. (oct 14)
As we got to the lodge. I have a headache and am fatigued. Hope rest, water and advil does the trick.
Two big big days lie ahead - to reach the destination, to hang our flag while being safe and come hone !