Machermo-14,446 feet
October 31, 2016
Namaste Family & Friends:
Today, on the way to Machermo, we had our first view of Burke-Khang, sitting deep up the Gokyo Valley. Though we will not stand on its flanks for many days, it was a majestic and beautiful sight.
We departed Dole at 8:30 am. David travelled ahead, and Naga and I took our time, enjoying the scenery, while snapping photos and shooting video. Naga has his own still photo camera, and I loaned him my GoPro video camera to shoot video for the team. I have 3 cameras that get a lot of use.
This was an easy and fun day, and we arrived in Machermo in 3 hours, just in time for lunch. We travelled 3.8 miles and gained only 1,211 feet of altitude.
God has blessed us with heavenly vistas and perfect weather. The photos cannot do justice to the stunning beauty of the countryside and the towering, snow covered peaks. The sky is deep blue, and the sun shines brightly all day. Occasionally, clouds will roll in and then scutter down the valley out of sight.
We had a great view of the mountain range that separates Nepal and Tibet. In the photo below, you will see Cho Oyu which is the 6th highest mountain in the world and is one of the 14 8,000 meter peaks that grace the High Himalaya and the Karakoram.
Just outside the village of Luza, Burke-Khang came into view. I felt a rush of emotion when I first saw the mountain this year. All the memories from last year came back and my dreams to return this year were fulfilled. It was a truly exciting and magical moment.
We are staying at the Namgyal lodge in Machermo. It is quite nice, much better than the lodge in Dole.
Tomorrow, we move to Gokyo where we will stay for 2 days.
Every day, we inch closer to our mountain. What does it have in store for us this year and how is it preparing for our arrival?
Bill
Getting ready to leave Dole
Yak paddies drying in the sun. Use for cooking & heat
Naga
Bill with Cho Oyu in the background
Taking a break in Luza
Bill with Burke-Khang in the deep background in the middle of the photo
Burke-Khang (photos taken by David with zoom lens)
Burke-Khang (photos taken by David with zoom lens)
Photo by David
Machermo
Namgyal lodge
Great pictures — the weather looks perfect and the mountain looks to be a really impressive white — and just waiting for your arrival!!! It’s not going anywhere!!!
Oh, Bill!! That is so exciting. I can’t even imagine your excitement. Imagine, for the rest of the world, that mountain will be named after you. This is so exciting. Stay safe. M
Bill,
Great weather – spectacular photos!
I’ve compared my last year photos – looks to me that you are going to have much more snow on Burke Khang than last year.
And this is great news!
I am expecting that slope towards C1 be full of snow without rocky portions, ridge towards C2 be completely under snow without exposed rocks, and many strange crevasses on steep summit ridge be covered by huge and stable snow.
And this supposed to mean – easier and more safe approach to BK.
I hope my expectations are realistic.
Good luck – enjoy your climb!
Greetings for David (we had lunch at Ice&Fire last year), Naga (we were together on Everest summit on May 19, 2012) and the rest of your team!
Amazing how the landscape changes as you approach the mountain; those glaciers are imposing.
Also amazing that this majestic peak has your name on it.
Immortality.
A long way in a short time from LAX!
P.