Shifting clouds over Ama Dablam and the village of Dingboche below
We continue up the Khumbhu Valley with a little snow and a little sun, the combination making the landscape stunningly powerful. Staying in Dingboche for 2 days, our sherpas settle into tents, we warm up by the stove in the lodge, and our yaks get a rest.
The yaks get a rest. (Actually they're a yak-cow cross breed.)
Eyes of the Buddha along the trail
A rest day, however, means we only hike half the day. In the morning, we climb up over 1000 ft and then return to relax in the afternoon and sleep at the same altitude for a second night to improve altitude adjustment. From our acclimatization hike, we have incredible views of Ama Dablam disappearing in and out of the clouds, and of the village of Dingboche below. After another delicious breakfast from the Mountain Madness kitchen, it’s up to Lobuche at 16,200 ft!
Breakfast!