October 14, 2018
Eric Simonson checked in from Raabka Chu overnight. The Team headed out from Pethang Ringmo (16,000+ ft) to Raabka Chu (stream crossing) camp (13,500 ft). Today we retrace our steps down valley back along the Khangshung glacier, the rockslide opposite the Chomolonzo glacier, and Pethang (where we camped on the way up) to the stream crossing called Raabka Chu meadow river. The camp on the grassy meadow across the river is a very pleasant place to spend the afternoon.
Another way to this campsite from Pethang Ringmo is to take a side trip to Guru Rimpoche’s cave at Tse Chu lake. Guru Rimpoche brought Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. The trail climbs high above Opka meadows, crosses Lamtsho (16,200 ft) then descends steeply to the lake. Here visit the cave temple of Guru Rimpoche.
- The route across the pass on the left with the cave at the base of the big rock in the middle of the photo (Eric Simonson)
- Lopsang Sherpa and Tsering below the cave holding holy water (Eric Simonson)
- Hiking along the Tse Tsho after visiting the Guru Rimpoche cave (Eric Simonson)
The way out descends steeply to the Pethang camp site from where we retrace our steps to the Kama river camp.
Greg Vernovage