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

Getting ready to leave Dole

Yak paddies drying in the sun. Use for cooking & heat

Yak paddies drying in the sun. Use for cooking & heat

Naga

Naga

Bill with Cho Oyu in the background

Bill with Cho Oyu in the background

Taking a break in Luza

Taking a break in Luza

Bill with Burke-Khang in the deep background in the middle of the photo

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)

Burke-Khang (photos taken by David with zoom lens)

Burke-Khang (photos taken by David with zoom lens)

Photo by David

Photo by David

Machermo-

Machermo

Namgyal lodge

Namgyal lodge