October 2014
Dengboche was a beautiful place. But the cold weather kept
us indoors for most of the day. Thanks to Kindle loaded with books, I never had
a boring time. Wi-Fi came at NPR 600 per hour, was only available after 6PM. I made
a deal on per minute basis to call my Home via Skype. Mobile signals had not
yet reached Dengboche.
us indoors for most of the day. Thanks to Kindle loaded with books, I never had
a boring time. Wi-Fi came at NPR 600 per hour, was only available after 6PM. I made
a deal on per minute basis to call my Home via Skype. Mobile signals had not
yet reached Dengboche.
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| View from front of the hotel |
My appetite had gone from bad to worse as I started hating
the food. I was fully convinced that it was not altitude but type/quality of
food that made me to lose appetite.
the food. I was fully convinced that it was not altitude but type/quality of
food that made me to lose appetite.
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| Lhotse seen from Dengboche village |
On acclimatization day, most people headed to Nagkartshang
Gompa, a name which I could never pronounce properly. I also followed the
majority people to climb 1,000 feet to reach the Gompa. Subbu was tired and
hence he decided to rest at the hotel.
Gompa, a name which I could never pronounce properly. I also followed the
majority people to climb 1,000 feet to reach the Gompa. Subbu was tired and
hence he decided to rest at the hotel.
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| ‘Our’ hotel |
As I climbed, I noticed that most people in front of me were
headed towards Lobuche. They were one day ahead of us. I had a long look at the
route towards Lobuche and then continued towards my destination, the Gompa with
a difficult name.
headed towards Lobuche. They were one day ahead of us. I had a long look at the
route towards Lobuche and then continued towards my destination, the Gompa with
a difficult name.
 |
| People walking towards Lobuche |
It took me 45 minutes to climb up. It was easy but too windy
to stay long at the top. The bonus of this walk was the view of Makalu, fifth
highest mountain in the world. With Makalu, I now have seen 8 of the 14 eight
thousanders from land. They are Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Manaslu,
Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri and Shisha Pangma. Cho Oyu is one peak I am yet to see
(I can include it as I have seen it from Mountain flight but that is a boring
way to see a mountain!!). The remaining
five (K2, Nanga Parvat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and Broad peak) are in the
part of Kashmir not controlled by Indians and hence out of bounds.
to stay long at the top. The bonus of this walk was the view of Makalu, fifth
highest mountain in the world. With Makalu, I now have seen 8 of the 14 eight
thousanders from land. They are Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Manaslu,
Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri and Shisha Pangma. Cho Oyu is one peak I am yet to see
(I can include it as I have seen it from Mountain flight but that is a boring
way to see a mountain!!). The remaining
five (K2, Nanga Parvat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and Broad peak) are in the
part of Kashmir not controlled by Indians and hence out of bounds.
 |
| There is Makalu in this picture!! |
When I come back, Subbu was surprised that I returned so
quickly.
quickly.
 |
| From Gompa |
Later that day, a big Spanish group checked-in to our hotel.
By evening the restaurant was bustling with people creating a party like
atmosphere.
By evening the restaurant was bustling with people creating a party like
atmosphere.
 |
| Lhotse looking very near |
In the meantime, Subbu’s condition had not improved. Even a walk to restroom made him breathe heavily. If that was the condition, how can we climb up remaining 4,000 feet? The end of our trip seemed nearer.
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| Going down? |
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