Gokyo-15,640 feet
November 1, 2016
Namaste Family & Friends:
This was my best day of the trip. We left Machermo at 8:20 am and arrived in Gokyo at 11:15 am. We traveled 5.4 miles and gained 1,194 feet in altitude. I feel like I am acclimatizing really well. I got 8 hours of sleep last night and my appetite is good. I feel like I am getting stronger every day.
Tomorrow is a rest day. David and I plan to climb nearby Gokyo Ri Peak, just to get some exercise. The views from the summit (16,874 feet), should be spectacular.
We are staying at the Himalaya Eco Resort owned by Asian Trekking. This excellent lodge is located right on the lake. David and I are staying in separate rooms and we each have lake views. The turquoise glacial lake is stunningly beautiful.
I took my first shower since Namche Bazar, so I am feeling fresh. While taking my shower, I pulled a really bad Griswold/Mr. Magoo, which I don’t plan to discuss with anyone. All I will say is they didn’t kick me out of the lodge….yet.
These next 2 days will be our final days of living high on the hog. No more warm beds and menus. From here on, we will sleep in tents and eat what we cook. Things are definitely going to get tougher and more primitive.
Once we leave Gokyo, we will depart civilization and have this beautiful piece of heaven all to ourselves. Few people venture above Gokyo and none above Gokyo Lake # 5.
Our 2 Sherpas–Shera and Samden–have already put in our first camp at Gokyo Lake # 5. We will have a cook tent, dining tent and sleeping tents. We have our own cook–Maila–who will prepare our meals until we start up the mountain. Nine yaks and 3 porters were required to get all our gear to Gokyo Lake # 5.
In one of the photos in this post, you can see Tenzing Peak and Hillary Peak, just to the right of Cho Oyu. These peaks were opened for climbing by the government of Nepal in May of 2014 at the same time the government opened Burke-Khang for climbing.
Speaking of photos, the reason you don’t see many photos of David is because he is always trekking about 1-hour ahead of me.
This will be my last text report with photos as we lose cell service above Gokyo. I will be filing audio reports with my satellite phone. My inReach Explorer will only allow me to transmit very short messages via satellite.
Bill
ps: check out Gokyo and the lake in “Where’s Bill” on my website. You can zoom in & out.
The trekking trail to Gokyo
Memorial cairns alongside a small lake
Trekking trail
Gokyo Lake
Gokyo Lake
Gokyo with Cho Oyu in the background
Gokyo with Cho Oyu in the background
Bill with Cho Oyu, Tenzing Peak & Hillary Peak in the background. Tenzing & Hillary Peaks are on the far right of the frame
Himalaya Eco Resort
The view from my room
David with the Ngozumba Glacier in the background
David & Bill having dinner and enjoying our Yucateco and Ghost Pepper powder
Greetings and blessings Bill,
Gokyo Lake is beautiful–as is the view from your room. Hold a room at the Eco Lodge for your return. Your safe triumph to complete a summit of Burke-Khang is our prayerful thought each day–for you and the team. We will miss pictures until you are back in cell range.
Rockman
4 years ago we had a rest day at Gokyo on the 3 passes trek . My wife and I did a great walk up to #5 , around a bit to see the Nepal Cho Oyu Base camp. That was sooo so beautiful. Enjoy your time.
Hey Bill,
Have really enjoyed your narratives and splendid photos, along the trekking route to Gokyo. Am impressed with the new lodge there, complete with solar room. When I trekked there solo decades ago, there was only one rustic lodge. At the top of Gokyo Ri, I spread prayer flags for a deceased son of a good friend. The winds were fierce that day, but the panoramic views of Everest were magnificent, much better than from atop Kala Patar, in my opinion.
Good wishes to you and David as you enter the next, most challenging phase of your adventure.
Kevin
I am so curious what happened to Clark Griswold this time. Maybe you can share this on your return from the mountain.
Does this mean you will be putting up the Christmas lights this year?
Quite a landscape; it’s looking more serious, almost a moonscape now. Time for your game face. Now the fun begins.
Paul
Bill,
I have enjoyed every post and all the great pictures you have shared. Stay well and be safe during the rest of your amazing adventure. I look forward to your being back in touch with all of us.
Blessings,
Cathy
I can only guess what maneuver you did and I have my guesses. As much as I wish you were home, the pictures are pretty spectacular and I am glad you are clearly enjoying your trip. xoxo