Nov 6 2024 – Dengbouche to Lobouche

Got a later start this morning than I have been. Didn’t hit the trail until 8am. Was stuck behind a long conga line of people on a narrow trail heading up to the ridge above Dengboche, which was pretty frustrating. Fortunately once over the top of the ridge you end up on a plateau that was formed from the lateral moraine left by the ice age extent of the Khumbu Glacier. Everyone was able to fan out according to their individual speed. Ended up with a woman from Canada and her guide for a good portion of time. Along the route we came across some abandoned traditional Sherpa houses.

It was super windy up there. When you’re open mouth breathing, if a gust of wind hit you at just the right angle, it would create a vacuum and suck the air out of your lungs. That was always terrifying when that happened.

Made it to Dughla, also spelled as Thukla, in good time. Decided to keep going. Next portion of the trail was a hard slog up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier.

Once you get to the top the trail heads over to a valley along the lateral moraine, and there’s memorials to everyone entombed in the glacier, it’s sprawling.

From there the valley “gently” rises to lobuche.

Anyway, pretty thoroughly exhausted. No cell service at this point, but I do have incredibly overpriced wifi.

I may decide to stay another night here tomorrow for altitude acclimation purposes, though that sounds awfully boring. Gorak Shep is the next village up the trail, and from there it’s 1.5hours to Everest base camp.