Having gained no altitude on the first day of our trek, we were looking at 600m gain today on our way to Namche Bazar and a further 200m to Kyongjuma. Namche is the last larger, civilised outpost we will see for the next two month offering all sort of shops and services at reasonable cost all considered.
Our guide Tim likes to avoid crowds so much is clear and this is the official reason as to why we stay here (against the hopes of many team member who wouldn’t mind to enjoy the offering of Namche such as the Irish pub or massages). Tim and the hosting family have also some history together. The host took up Prince Charles on an offer to visit him in England some 23y after it was given during the princes own trekking adventure on a trail now called the Royal trail. Tim hosted the family in the UK and joined the audience. You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to stay with old friends after all.
The first section to Namche took 2h30min for 6km. The hike was steep for the latter 3km where we gained most of the 600m climb. The highlights on the path was the double suspension bridge and the first glimpse of Everest and Lhotse. Conclusion: there is a lot more climbing ahead of us. In fact, more than five vertical kilometers still! I listened to an audiobook telling the tale of a child with cancer and his relationship with the lady in rose (‘Oskar und die Dame in rosa’ by E.E. Schmitt).
In Namche we had lunch at Kala Pathar lodge. As usual, they need 1-1,5h heads up to prepare food. So we ordered and then headed to the well-known Everest cafe. Wifi was free, but slow. The flat white coffee was tasty, but I didn’t get to try the delicious looking doughnuts (Joe judges them as ‘perfect’) nor the cheese cake. I got some blog work done. The lunch at the lodge was unspectacular. I liked the chicken soup, but spaghetti Bolognese was just average.
We all met up after lunch at the Everest cafe and departed for Kyongjuma at 14:45hrs. A bit more than an hour later I completed the 4.4km hike. The weather had turned in the afternoon and was now misty and foggy after a sunny morning session. That’s the mountains for you. So we will have to wait for what should be a stunning panorama.
Arriving at the lodge we got offered tea with ginger (not my favorite, but ok). However, my bags were missing again. The one the didn’t make it past Lukla yesterday (expected) and the bag that did arrive late last night. It has been left behind. Great!
Dinner was nice and by the time I had eaten my chocolate pudding my bag had also arrived. Time for some hygiene, recharging and back to the common room to digest all the footage I am picking up all day. Since we stay here tomorrow another night, we start only 8am and go for a hike somewhere in the area. Can’t wait for the fog to lift … the lodge must have its name from somewhere after all … climb on!
| Ama Dablam View Lodge, Kyangjuma |
Available |
Cost |
Comment |
| Hot shower |
YES |
R400 |
Good one |
| Wifi |
YES |
R350/1000 |
through Everest link, R350 = 100MB; R1,000 = 500MB |
| Recharge |
YES |
R200 |
|
| Mobile signal |
YES |
3G strong signal |
|
| Beer |
YES |
R700 |
500ml can of San Miguel or Tuborg |
| Water |
YES |
R150 |