Lobuche to Gorek Shep and Everest Base Camp

10/26/2012
The trip from Lobuche to Gorek Shep and the Yeti Lodge was very cold and we were glad for the down jackets. We arrived under sunny skies before noon, and after lunch began the hike to Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 5364 meters. It was a hard trek up and down glacial debris until we finally arrived at the stone cairns and prayer flags which mark the furthest distance that trekkers are allowed to proceed. As we hiked back down to Gorek Shep at an elevation of 5180 meters the temperature continued to drop and the snow began. By the time dinner was over, the temperature had dropped to -10 degrees Celsius and the snow had started to fall.

Patrick at 5159 meters and the way to Gorek Shep

On the way to Everest Base Camp from Gorek Shep

Victory - EBC at 17,600 feet

The group that made it

10/27/2012
Sean was up at 0515 for his Kala Patar summit attempt, while Patrick got up at 0545 for his lesser goal of getting as high as possible before the lungs and legs gave out. The temperature at Gorek Shep was a chilly -15 degrees Celsius.
Patrick called it quits when he hit the wall at 5400 meters (17716 feet) above Gorek Shep, but the views in the predawn light of Mount Everest were still stunning. Patrick returned to the Yeti Lodge and about one hour later Sean returned, having successfully summited Kala Patar at an elevation of 5545 meters (18192 feet). Both Sean and Patrick were totally exhausted by the morning effort in the thin cold air above Gorek Shep.

Sean at the summit of Kala Patar at 18,192 feet

After breakfast and packing of the duffels, we began the long slog down the hill to Pheriche, at an elevation of 4200 meters. We had lunch along the way at Dughla.
Our lodgings in Periche were at the Pumori Lodge, where the entire team showed symptoms of the "Khumbu Cough", caused by the combined effects of dry cold air and altitude irritating the bronchi.