Gorek Shep to Everest base camp

Getting to Everest base camp seems the finally but we will have 3 long days trekking to get back to Lukla, It has taken 9 days to get to base so the 3 days back seems daunting, The trek to Base camp from Gorek Shep is not the nicest trek i have done, Firstly there is the area with a real risk of avalanche then the steep drop down towards the ice flow that our tents will be set on, The trail then comes and goes as you have to climb over big rocks and boulders, As we got to base camp and i saw the rock stating we were actually there i felt tears fill my eyes, Its been a long journey for me, One that started as a dream 16 years before and with my fathers passing even more emotional,Once there we settled in, It was pretty cold and with a strong breeze, We took some photos of the scenery and some individual shots then i hung the prayer flags for my father at base camp, After a quick diner i hit the sack and was glad that my wife had bought me the North Face -20 sleeping bag, I wore long Johns and a top but was soon too warm and they come off, At 4am Ciaran called my name to go out and see the stars, Wow what a sight, I quickly set the camera on the tripod and started to shoot away, The problem was the wind had picked up and the temperature had plummeted, Around -10 but way colder with the wind chill, The camera and lens was soon covered in frost as was i, We stayed up the rest of the night talking and being amazed at the scenery in front of us, We had seen a fox skulking around the camp earlier and i hoped it would come back but it didn't, As the sun started to rise there was an avalanche right in front of us which was to be the first of 3 that morning, We went back to Gorek Shep jubilant and quickly warmed up, Tomorrow we start the long journey back to Lukla although some have opted to hire a helicopter, For me the physical challenge continues, I feel ready for it as i am in the best shape i have been in since school

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If ever in doubt

 On the trek you dont get much time to smell the roses so Ciaran smelt the poppies

 First sight of base camp, You can see a tent near the middle of the image

 When is a trail not a trail?, When its just rocks and boulders, the last part was pretty difficult

 An emotional time for me, 16 years in the planning and saying goodbye to my father

 The other reason was to raise funds for the CRI or Cancer Research Institute

 My fathers name with prayer written by the Geshe Lama, Tied and left hanging with the prayer flags he blessed,

 Hanging the prayer flags before the light dropped with Pasang

 Time for a quick group photo

 Diarmuid and Ciaran also hung prayer flags

 Finishing touches and we are done

 Base camp, prayer flags and Pumori

 Yaks are essential to get all your gear there

 Mist forming over the ice flow as the sun sets

 Nuptse through the mist with the moon above , When the stars align magic happens

 My tent with Pumori behind

 As the sun set the temperatures dropped and the wind increase

 The magic

 First light and frost on the tents

 Pumori drops an avalanche at first light, You can the explosion of snow and ice as it hit the bank and shot across the valley, The first of 3 separate avalanches that morning

 The sun is rising and soon there will be warmth

A night to remember for ever, The guides made sure everybody was warm and handed out hot water bottles to those who wanted them, Soup and noodles also helped with lots of Mango and Apple tea,

Dave