Himalayas Magazine – June 2019

(avery) #1

http://www.travelhimalayamagazine.com TRAVEL HIMALAYA SPRING 2019 | 69


TEAM YAK ATTACK


using long metal swing bridges, getting out
of the way of yaks carrying heavy loads and
majestic mountain views. In the lower Everest
region and probably any trekking area, it
is not advised to measure a day’s route in
distance, but rather to take average walking
time and altitude into consideration to see how
challenging the day would be. Most trekkers
do a day of acclimatization at Namche Bazaar
(3440m) which is a surprisingly big town keeping
in mind it’s location. It is colourful, bustling with
cafe’s serving apple pie and other baked treats
and has a very wide variety of accommodation
options from teahouses to 5 star Luxury Hotels.


On their rest day, many explorers opt for a
daytrip to gain a bit of altitude and sleep lower
again. One of the team members is not hungry
and has been having headaches and an upset
stomach. He has a very long sleep and opts to not
continue the trek the next morning. With a little
push from the hotel owner and travel agents, he
ends up seeing a doctor and hibernating for two
more days before he feels up for getting outside
and doing short walks again. The other dad
stays too and does some day trips, using Namche
Bazaar as base. He goes on solo treks and enjoys
hot apple pie in exotic location and returns to
the comfort of his warm hotel room every night.


The rest of the group with their guide and
porters keep their goal in mind to cross both the
Cho-la (5420 m) and Renjo La (5360 m) passes in


WKHQH[WIHZGD\V,WLVFROGDQGGLIÀFXOW0RUH


people are getting sick. Some need to reroute
and descend to get rid of their headaches and
V\PSWRPV7KHJURXSÀQGWKHPVHOYHVVSOLWLQWR
three parts at three different locations. As the
group found out, having a support team is vital
for staying safe and giving support when things
don’t go according to plan.
A helicopter is organized for the dads from
Namche Bazaar, one is dropped in Gokyo
where he checks into the wrong hotel. The ice
on the insides of the windows and the white
mist hanging in the middle of the room after
he exhales, make him question what he is
doing in sub-zero conditions at an altitude of
4750 m. He remembers that he is waiting for
his daughter and his team. He makes his way
to the right hotel with a bed-heater and no
frost and remembers he is in one of the most
magical and testing places in the world. The other

A helicopter is organized for the dads from


Namche Bazaar, one is dropped in Gokyo
where he checks into the wrong hotel. The ice

on the insides of the windows and the white


mist hanging in the middle of the room

Free download pdf