I descended from the very top of Kala Patthar and joined others on a small ledge perhaps 40 feet below. The wind was still intense. From this ledge we watched our sherpas, cooks, and porters hang prayer flags. They traversed a ledge with minimal foot room (seemed like about 4-6 inches) and a vertical drop that meant certain death. We were very nervous. Their survival certainly added to the experience. The pan below does not really convey the drama of it all. Doesn’t even come close. 

Eventually we had to head down from this amazing experience. We spent a noisy night in Gorak Shep before adding a BIG unscheduled BONUS to the trip—Everest Base Camp. That was certainly on a par with Kala Patthar for memories that will last a lifetime. 

Please explore these panoramic images. You can double click to zoom way in and the left mouse to pan around. You can also use the + and – keys to zoom and the arrow keys to scroll. Please wait for the resolution to download.

From this photo it looks like Nabin and Gunje have a pretty secure place to stand—and they do. Getting to and from this spot was the dangerous part.

Four of our group (on the right) are heading back down toward the Khumbu Glacier and Gorak Shep. The largest peak in center of the pan is Ama Dablam, mostly shrouded in clouds.

This gives an overview of the bustling town of Gorak Shep. My room was at the far left of the long orange building. The toilet was at the right end. You can see 6 domed yellow tents and their more square toilet tent to the left. Between KP and the lodges is an old dry lake bed. You can see the trail to Lobuche heading off to the right from behind the lodges. Back at the lodge, Carolyn, who is in this pan, commented, “Not a bad Friday the 13th.”

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