Because we’re not moving on today, we have lie in until 7.30, breakfast at 8.00.
Breakfast is part of our package so every day, porridge or muesli, with bread, choice of chapati or Tibetan bread (sort of fried chapati) or toast, sometimes. Occasionally we have eggs, so today I have porridge and fried egg toast sandwich. And plenty of black coffee.
Today we are trying out our big boots and crampons. We are doing a three hour walk to “base camp”, then back again.
First time putting them on since hiring them.
Line up for the briefing.
Once outside the village it’s crampons on.
Lined up ready to go.
And off we go.
Its hard work with heavy boots in the thin air. The trail is a mixture of rock and ice, crampons equally good on both, but concentration required.
The scenery is superb which makes the rest stops even more special.
After 3 hours of slog we reach base camp view. We are quite happy.
The walk back is easy. Lunch, afternoon of well earned relaxation. The late view from the guest house sums it all up
The only worry: if it was so hard getting to base camp in 3 hours, what will it feel like going all the way to high camp in 7 hours?
Anyway that is two days away and tonight we have pizza for dinner (made in a genuine pizza oven)!