October 17th, 2017
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- Ama Dablam/3X3/2X2 Team on their way to Namche (Austin Shannon)
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- Namche Suspension Bridge (Tye Chapman)
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- Prayer Flags in Namche (Tye Chapman)
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- Namche with Thamserku (Tye Chapman)
The Namche Hill is no joke!  The Khumbu Valley Teams had a great day trekking up to Namche from Phakding. The Namche Hill is the first real test for everyone as they gain altitude and approach Namche (11,900 ft). The key is to take a few deep breathes and concentrate on your feet. The challenge of this section of the trek comes when you are breathing and stepping and the scenery is amazing, the suspended bridge is higher off the ground than anything you have crossed before and let’s not forget about the horse and Zopkyok or Jopkyo (Pack animals that are not cows but not yaks either). Are coming at you at times.
This is a great day of trekking and arriving at the Khumbu Lodge in Namche is like arriving home! The view from the lodge is fantastic and it is a great opportunity to sit around and enjoy your successes. You are in the Khumbu Valley now.
Tomorrow, the Team will take an acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel and eat lunch in Khumjung, home of a beautiful new monastery that has the Yeti hair and the Sir Edmund Hillary School.
All is well in the Khumbu Valley!
Greg Vernovage