New Heights: Reached 15,737 ft
Oct 20, 2023
Its been hard to keep track of the date and day of week. Our days have been counted as the days spent at each spot along this journey.
The day started off great as I was able to video call home for a few minutes.
I slept decently well last night. Our guide Kalden warned us of a strange phenomenon that we would experience at night. The feeling that we are gasping for air and the lungs expand for a huge big gulp then it repeats again and again. It does cause me to wake up for a slight bit. Other strange thing I experienced is that I have been getting a lot of short dreams. Can’t thread the dreams but each dream gets interrupted by the “big gulp of air”
We all have been getting better with our morning readiness and routine
We left our hotel right at 8am to catch the trail up Nagarjuna hill. Its was a tough hike reaching an elevation of 15,737 ft. The views from the top were magnificient. 360 degree views of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Peak 38, Lhotse, Chapula, Lobuche, Thansekuru and many others, The hike back down was tough too given the steep inclune. We got back at 11:30am. Lunch at 12pm you guessed right: Garlic Soup and Veggie Sandwich. The afternoon and evening was open. We sat in the sun after lunch. Felt really good to be warm and to air out the toes.
We are all meeting at Cafe 4410 down the cobble road at 3pm, then dinner at 6pm. We leave Dingboche tomoerow for Lobuche.
The food selections thus far have been great. Our Dingboche Hotel Bright Lodge has a food menu that gives Denny’s a run for the money.
PS: The air here is so cold they recommend no showers to avoid getting sick. My last shower was at Namche Oct 16. My next shower is likely going to be Oct 25th (Namche) unless there is an option in Pheriche on Oct 24th. Baby wipes and dry soap to the rescue’ish
PS 2: tonight will be my 13th straight Garlic Soup. I am starting to believe in the magic of garlic for altitude sickness. Don't want to jinx it now
I have bigger challenges in front of me, shower not top of lost !!