From Johor to Everest Base Camp: Day 10: Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Previously:

https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2018/10/from-johor-to-everest-base-camp-day-9.html

24 May 2018, Thursday

Namche Bazaar (3440m) - Lukla (2850m)

Trek time: 9 hours instead of 7 hours (due to strained right heel)


I woke up quite early in order to start hiking at 6.30am. Dave and Dhinesh were really kind to accompany me as early starters. I had a strained right heel, which took the wind off me quite substantially the day before. I felt in-debt and blessed to have met them. The rest of the team would start at the usual time of 8am. It was vital that I get to Lukla before night-fall, and fly out of Lukla the next day.

Amazing views on the way down

(From right) Dave, Dhinesh and I 

Interestingly, after a good night's sleep and lots of muscle cream, my right heel actually felt good. It still feels when I touch it, but I was able to walk without much fuss. Boy was I relieved. 

It took around 2.5 hours to reach Monjo (which was faster than the 4-hour estimation) from Namche, the landmark entrance to Everest Base Camp.

I would reach Phakding at noon

From then on, the landscape would change dramatically. There were more vegetation, felt increasingly humid, while the ground was wetter. There were visibly more manure, which stink. There were no more yaks, but donkeys were aplenty. Yaks require colder climate. 

The last day seeing yaks

Kids going to school

From Johor to Everest Base Camp: Day 9: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar

This is a continuation post from:

https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2018/09/from-johor-to-everest-base-camp-day-8_30.html

23 May 2018, Wednesday

Pangboche (3800m) - Namche Bazaar (3440m)

Trek time: 9 hours instead of 5.5 hours (due to strained right heel)

Had a good sleep at Pangboche's Eco Hotel. At 3800m, oxygen was plentiful, and I thoroughly slept through the night. They say in the Himalayas, you are able to enjoy star-gazing, experiencing the milky-way, meteor shower...

For me, pure exhaustion was apparent. Even going to the loo was done at god-speed. Forget about waking up, braving the cold, and leaving my -20 C sleeping bag.  

I woke up at 4.45am feeling my right heel. It was due to the careless leap I did yesterday in order to overtake a yak-train. After a grueling 13-hour hike, without feeling anything, it finally swell as I slept. In a way I was fortunate that the heel held itself yesterday. It'll be almost impossible to hike from Gorak Shep to Pangboche with an unfit heel.

Thankfully, I had my own first aid-kit and essentials. 

My essentials: Knee/ankle guard, chlorine pills, muscle cream, tea bag, watch, 风油, gloves

Dawn broke early, and I went out exploring the village of Pangboche, which has the oldest monastery above 3900m in Nepal.

There was a sense of spirituality or zen (if you may) - Very tranquil and serene

Tibetan scriptures everywhere, but sadly, not many understand the knowledge and wisdom nowadays

Early passer-by - The surrounding of Pangboche

We started hiking after breakfast at 7.45am. 

The rocket trio of Ryan, Dave and Pat would reach Namche Bazaar at 1pm, while the second group would reach around 2pm. 

Summer season is ending soon, so is the hiking season

To my horror, my strained right heel was almost hopeless. My walking speed was so slow that the yaks could overtake me. I was basically limping. Thankfully, I had my hiking poles, which was vital.