Day 7: Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (EBC)

Log No: 15-04-09
Trekking Distance: 9.8 km
Trekking Time: 10hrs 25mins

Timing:
0725hrs - Left Lobuche (4910m)
1015hrs:1055hrs - Arrive at Gorak Shep (5140m)'s Yeti Resort for Lunch
1145hrs - Left Gorak Shep
1500hrs:1540hrs - Arrive at Everest Base Camp (5380m)
1545hrs - Left Everest Base Camp
1745hrs - Arrive back at Gorek Shep's Yeti Resort

The trek to Gorak Shep was generally uphill of over 200m ascent. Upon arrival, we had approximately 50mins to check-in to our room, grab our necessities for the EBC trail and have a quick lunch. None of us really had any appetite and were glad that lunch was just a small bowl of garlic noodle soup.

Agnes making her way up to Gorak Shep

By 11.40am, Yew Hoong signaled for us to start our EBC trek fearing that we might return too late. Usually after 5.00pm, the weather would turn very cold and clouds would swop in making visibility low. It was definitely not the best time to trek.

After lunch, I wasn't exactly feeling in the best of shape. My pulse was fairly rapid and so I took it slow. Real slow..very slow till Furba started yawning as he accompanied me -.-

Sonam and another porter (who carried a hot flask of water) had led the team ahead of me. It was a winding up and down trail along the edge and ridge of the mountain. As time went by, each step I took was like lifting a 50kg weight. The all familiar dizzy spell hit me once more and I had to sit down very frequently just to catch my breath. Breathing was difficult especially when I have respiratory issues. Moreoever, oxygen rate at 5000m is only 53%. In my head, I was chanting a Buddhish prayer to distract the pain.

Yew Choon like me was also praying. He was seeking blessing from Sagarmatha (Everest) to open her arms and welcome him to Everest Base Camp. Everyone had their way of keeping their mind off the tiring ascend and descend.

By 1.00pm Furba was asking if I wanted to turn back. He probably felt that I was too unwell and weak to continue. I asked him if I could reach by 3.00pm at this slow pace. He said, "yes". And so I pressed on giving myself short term goals to accomplish. EBC was in view but it was "so near yet so far". At some point, I was so disappointed with my performance that I nearly cried.

I kept pushing myself till I was about 100m away from the down slope that led to EBC. It was 2.10pm. I knew that I would not make it to EBC by 3.00pm. Even if I headed down the slope and glacier successfully, I might not have enough energy to climb back up and trek back to Gorak Shep by nightfall. Disappointed, I told Furba that I would stop and head back. I did not want to risk the acclimatization climb to Kalapatthar the next morning and Island Peak in the next few days. After Furba took some photos of me with EBC and Everest in the background, I told him to re-group with the rest. Once he left, I found a safe spot and took a good nap for 20mins. At 2.30pm I headed down alone thinking that Furba will send Sonam after me.

Everest Base Camp in the background
. . .

Meanwhile, Yew Hoong, Kin Peng, Yew Choon and Agnes arrived at the Singapore Women Everest Team (SWET) tentage at different timings. The SWET team had headed up for Everest Camp I and were not around. But they were equally pleased to be greeted by Mr Lim Kim Boon, the women's coach and Base Camp Manager. In SWET website updates dated 24th April 2009, our 4 SUAGU members' names were listed as guest visitors!

At Everest Base Camp

Singapore Women Everest Team

Yew Hoong and Kin Peng with the Singapore Women Everest Team's Base Camp Manager (in orange vest)

After a series of photo shots, Yew Hoong hurried the team along as night was approaching. At 3.45pm, they headed back to Gorak Shep. It was this return trip that triggered a relapse of Kin Peng's knee injury.
. . .

By 4.00pm, I started to wonder if I was lost on the mountains. Sonam never came. Damn! I was certain that I was on the right trail given the footprints, trashs and yak dunks. But for the last 30mins, I saw no human going towards or back from EBC. Could I have taken the long way? There was an initial panic. Again, I prayed for guidance and soon enough at 4.15pm, I saw 2 Sherpas coming my way. *phew*