Day 9- Lobuche to Gorek Shep and Kala Pattar

A very cold night left a heavy frost and a low snowline, The walk was mainly easyish and the mountains came out to play, The end of the walk was quite challenging but more difficult because of walking across rocks, Gorek shep was bigger than i expected but its extremely busy meaning the service for food etc is slow but there is no rush, No heat in any room except the dining hall means you have to get everything ready and dive into your sleeping bag which i have to say i am extremely pleased with, We walked up to the summit of Kala Pattar which was the most challenging trek so far and took us up to 5545m, Kala Pattar for me is the reason for going on the trek, If the weather cooperates the views are absolutley incredible and you get the best views of Everest from there, Its not for everybody as its a very strenuous trek but boy the results are amazing and well worth the effort,At the top it can be incredibly windy as it was when i climbed there and what starts out as i steep trail disappears at the top as you have to make your way over rocks and boulders,We all congratulated each other and had tea and biscuits, The views and panorama was truly breathtaking and well worth the effort, Tomorrow we head for Everest base camp and spend a cold night there in a tent, Every day has got better and better and the end is now near

Click on images for a bigger better view

The mountains are getting nearer and bigger

 I dont normally shoot into the sun but the new Nikon lens handled the flare reasonably for a wide lens

 Next to the ice flow with Nuptse in the background

 Nuptse with prayer flags

 Gorek Shep, The original base camp

 On my way up Kala Pattar, You will notice how my clothing changes as i get higher

 Half way up and Everest (back left) is now clear behind Nuptse (Big Mountain foreground)

 Great success, At the top of Kala Pattar, My own personal goal

 Ciaran up at Kala Pattars summit, Not for the faint of heart, Huge drop off to both sides and back

 Diarmuid and Ciaran checking out the view for a new Irish bar

 5 of the 8 in our group made it to the summit of Kala Pattar along with our guides and the Ian Taylor Trekking banner

Multiple images stitched together to give the totalview-spectacular and worth all the effort

Helicopters at Gorek Shep are either delivering goods, Picking people up or doing rescues, either way they are extremely busy

 The crazy Irish Boys who made my trek something special

Onwards to Base Camp the final destination

Dave