Archive for January, 2008
Kala Patthar
By Tony on January 31, 2008 | 1 Comment »
From Gokyo, three long days of walking have brought us to the tiny settlement of Gorak Shep to climb Kala Patthar, a rocky outcropping rising to 5545 meters (18,298 ft) that provides the closest glimpse of Everest on the Nepali side of the mountain (that is without actually climbing the mountain itself). » Continue reading this post »
Shigeo Osawa at 84
By Thomas on January 30, 2008 | No Comments »
Boy, did we feel stupid complaining after a hard day’s climb when we met Shigeo Osawa, an outgoing and optimistic 84-year old Japanese man on his way to Gorak Shep (5170 m / 16,960 ft). We soon learnt that Osawa San was somewhat of a celebrity in Japan known for his adventurous spirit. Each year for the last 29 years, Shigeo Osawa has walked from Lukla to Gorak Shep, and, get this, has always celebrated New year’s day by » Continue reading this post »
Pheasant
By Tony on January 29, 2008 | No Comments »
Getting a picture of the this pheasant was a challenge to say the least. These babies can move when you are trying to photograph them. Unfortunately, I couldn’t manage to get a picture of the male (the real star of the bunch), but the females are also quite beautiful.
Chola Pass Misadventure
By Thomas on January 28, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Moving on from Gokyo to Gorak Shep, we had two options: hike over Chola Pass and get there within a couple of days or walk around the mountain range in about three days.
Many people had warned us not to cross the pass without a guide. There was a glacier crossing that might require crampons and ice axes, there were too many unmarked paths, the lodges on either side of the pass were already closed,… and the list went on. Despite the warnings » Continue reading this post »
Yeti Territory
By Thomas on January 27, 2008 | 1 Comment »
I couldn’t wait to see my first yeti as we were heading into yeti territory. Was I to look for packs, for schools, for herds of yeti, or for solitary ones? This was all new and our guide book didn’t provide us with much information; however, the official map of the Khumbu region did reference a yeti attack near Macherma. » Continue reading this post »
