Everest Base Camp Trek - Acclimatization Day at Dingboche

Taking an acclimatization day, we decided to sleep in and get a good night’s recuperative rest. By morning I was raring to go with Kirk and Nancy joining us for a day hike to almost 5,100m / 17,728’. Keri was still feeling under the weather, but she rallied and joined us. Once we climbed a bit over 4,500m / 15,000’, Keri reached her limit and quickly everyone bailed except for Kirk and myself. My guide Dhruba reviewed the map with Kirk, before heading back with the troops. Instead, our marginally English-speaking porters escorted us the rest of the way to our mini summit attempt.

As we gained elevation, we had the best views on the trip so far. What was amazing was the ability to see down as well as up at a magnitude that was simply unimaginable in the States. In addition to the uncultivated valleys, some were tamed to act as fields for the warmer months. Unfortunately, we were way too early in the season to see any presence of a farm other than the rock walls surrounding barren fields waiting for the spring to melt away the last of the winter’s snow.

Given their relatively easy day, our porters entertained themselves with a friendly arm wrestle.

The story continues...