Greetings from Everest Base Camp at 5365m/17,600′. We arrived here on Easter Sunday. After leaving Pheriche we spent three nights at a camp at the base of Lobuche Peak before moving to EBC. Camped in a small amphitheater we were treated to outstanding views of the north face of Cholatse as well as distant peaks we passed by in prior days. On April 8 we packed up our gear and trekked past the villages of Lobuche and Gorak Shep. The route then drops onto the Khumbu Glacier. Pumo Ri (7165m/23,507′), Nuptse (7864m/25,800′), Lhotse (8516m/27,939′), and Everest (8850m/29,035′) dominated our field of view.
Arriving at EBC caps off one of the all time classic treks in the world. From the culture to the stunning scenery and the people and wildlife along the way this trek is an experience like no other! There were several people who accompanied us to Everest Base Camp just to experience everything this trek has to offer. After spending a couple days with us they took off on April 11 to descend back down valley en route to Kathmandu to catch flights home.
Since arriving at EBC our primary focus has been to get acclimated to this elevation. Over the coming days we plan to take a few day hikes around our area and make our first forays into the Khumbu Icefall. On April 10 we did our first training and practice on the skills and techniques needed to climb above EBC. This included cramponing, ascending and descending fixed lines, and practicing walking across the rungs of ladders that will be spanning crevasses in the Icefall and beyond.
Fred practicing fixed line ascension on an ice tower on the Khumbu Glacier near our Base Camp.
Love following the progress of the team.
This is incredible. Fred, you look amazing!!
Hi Kurt!
We have another friend, Wilfred Moshi, that is also hiking Everest right now. He’s a porter from Moshi that wants to become the first Tanzanian to summit the Everest. He’s posting on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/185305674915101/
Maybe you’ll ran into each other.
Great pictures!
Ana Maria McGuan
Fred, Kurt,
This is really inspiring. We will be following every post.
Steve and Michele Reilly