Everest Trek Day Four

This was quite an easy day, thanks heavens! Some of us are still getting over that heave up to Namche a couple of days ago. On our way out of the village we came across a stupa, a dome-shaped building which is a Buddhist shrine. Then we climbed a ridge with a wonderful view down to the village below and up in the distance the Kumbila massif. Here there was a welcome stony enclosure where we had a rest. We needed it! We’d walked less than a mile but already we’d climbed over a thousand feet.

There were the usual moans – you just have to ignore them – from some of our party who hadn’t really prepared for this sort of thing. They hadn’t even bothered with our training day on Whernside so we didn’t have much sympathy for them. We all forgot our tiredness when we caught a glimpse of Everest, away in the far distance but close enough for us to focus on why we were here. 

Soon we reached Khunde which, according to Sherpa legends, is the Khumbu area’s oldest village. The Khunde Hospital was one of the major projects which Sir Edmund Hillary, in whose steps we hope to tread, initiated in the 1960s. Not many trekkers stay in Khunde so that gives you a chance to sample Sherpa village life. Some of us were invited into a Sherpa house where we sipped thick salted Tibetan milk tea and chatted with our hosts. We felt really welcome. This has been our best day so far.

Luke N Brightside

(Communications Officer)

 The colourful stupa at Namche 

Sherpa Dowting (Head Porter) writes:                                 

I’m not sure about the comparison with Edmund Hillary! There was a lot of emotion when they saw Everest – one was in tears – but I don’t think they realise what it’s going to take to get there. Any how it was good to see them enjoying some Sherpa hospitality. I hope they enjoyed the tea – there were some funny screwed-up faces as they drank it. We haven’t told them yet that they’ll have some proper climbing to do tomorrow.