Trekking Distance: 16.1km
Trekking Time: 7hr 50mins
Timing:
0440hrs - Left Gorak Shep (5140m)
0645hrs - Summit Kalapatthar (5545m)
0710hrs - Left Kalapatthar
0810hrs - Arrive back at Gorak Shep (5140m)'s Yeti Resort
0940hrs - Left Gorak Shep
1125hrs - Arrive at Lobuche (4910m)
1255hrs - Arrive at Dughla (4260m) for lunch
1345hrs - Left Dughla
1515hrs - Arrive at Dingboche (4410m)'s Hotel Family
We woke at 3.30am and prepared for breakfast at 4.00am. The morning was cold and our bodies were rejecting food at such high altitude. But still we had to eat for the much required energy.
At 4.40am, we switched on our head lamps, strapped on our gloves and headed off into the dark to climb Kalapatthar. It wasn't very windy but the low temperature started to make my toes freeze numb. The slope up was generally steep and we had to zig-zag our way up to the summit. Towards the top, the path was filled with rocks and boulders making us the climb cumbersome.
Halfway through, Agnes and Yew Choon were trailing behind. Due to the cold and exertion from the previous day's trek to EBC, Agnes and Yew Choon decided to turn around at 6.15am and 6.45am respectively. Along the way down, Agnes was shivering in cold and Sonam had to constantly rub her hands to generate heat. She was disappointed and upset with herself for not being able to summit Kalapatthar.
Along the way, several other climbers overtook us. I tried to catch up with them but was just too slow. After a while, I gave up - after all, it wasn't a competition. The view along the way was great especially watching the sun rise from behind Everest. Finally at 6.55am, I arrived at the summit 10 mins after Kin Peng.
At the summit with Pumori (7165m) in the background
Morning sun rising behind Everest (8850m)
View from summit
Back at Gorak Shep, we had toast and jam before heading for Dingboche. Descending was always way easier and so the 700m downwards (there were ups too) trek was reasonably comfortable. Agnes, who had an extra hour of sleep after turning back from the Kalapatthar climb, was visibly recharged and was blazing the trail downwards.
After Dughla, the trek to Dingboche was quite enjoyable. The view was great and the trek was Nepali flat-flat-flat. As we trekked, we could peer down at Pheriche.
Dingboche just below...
At Dingboche, we had the worst hot shower. The boiling water was trickling down little by little from the shower cap making bathing difficult. Worst off all, it cost us SGD$7.00 each!
With so much downwards trekking, our knee cap hurt quietly. It was only when I squatted down to poo poo that I heard my knee cap grinded. I had to grip the side of the wooden toilet to pull myself up when done. Kin Peng was smarter. She brought in her walking stick to help her stand :-)
Index Page / Day 9: Dingboche to Chhukhung
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