02 Jul Photos from the April 09 trek to Everest Base Camp with Joe and Sir Chris Bonington
Okay, we have finally sorted our software issues and have some great photos from our recent Everest Base Camp expedition.
For this trip I had invited my father Chris Bonington along for the ride. This was the first time that I had spent time with my father in the Khumbu region and at Everest Base Camp.
Everest (taken from Kala Pattar)
Mount Everest being a place that had dominated my father’s career and my childhood for many many years.
The team at Everest View Hotel with champagne (minus Chris and Tan)
Our trekking party numbered 15. Myself, Joe, as Trek leader, my Dad Chris as guest and story teller and 13 team members. Kathy Taylor, Liam Dai and his sister Trinh, Jeremy Larkin, Catherine Quayle, Daniel Greenwood, Janice Duncan, Susan King, Lee Burrows, Adam Halen, Paula Morrison, Nardia Norman and Tan Hunyh (unfortunately Tan was delayed but still managed to get up to 4600m and join us for the last half of the trip).
Prayer wheels at the Boudnath
We start in Kathmandu, one of my favourite cities in the world. Despite the many changes and the advance of time and technology it is a wonderfully chaotic, smelly, dirty, but beautiful and culturally rich and diverse place. Our first day consists of a tour of local sites including Nepal’s largest Buddhist monument, the Boudnath.
Traditional young monks playing very untraditional computer games.
Walking up Jamasho (2095m), Nagarjun State Forest behind Kathmandu
We also explore the hills behind Kathmandu. There is a holy hill that overlooks the city, a site of regular pilgramages. It makes for a great little training walk.
Lukla Airstrip.
The Trek itself starts in Lula. Lukla is one of the most exciting landings and take offs anywhere. The plane literally drops off the end of the runway.
Susan leading the trail to Namche Bazar
Lee and Paula, Tea House
Bridge with prayer flags
We walk from Lukla (2860m) to Phakding (2650m). Our team gets to experience its first Tea houses, with people glugging down as much fresh ginger tea as possible (great for the circulation and reputedly acclimatisation) . We camp and then trek to the famous Namche Bazar. It also the team’s first experience of the wire bridges that span the gorges and valleys in the region.
Looking down on Namche Bazar after our acclimatisation day walk to Everest View Hotel
Our first view of Everest, taken from the Everest View Hotel above Namche Bazar
Budhist Stupa framed by the one of the most visually stunning mountains of the region Ama Dablam (6856m)
Our hard wearing Berghaus Tote Bags. This is now our 5th day of trekking. The weather has turned as we reach Pheriche (4240m)
We awoke the next morning to find the world covered in a thin snowy blanket
From Pheriche the hardwork starts in earnest as we head off up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier to Lobuche (4920m)
Walking over the moraine beside the Khumbu Glacier on our way to Everest Base Camp
... and finally we arrive at Base Camp (5330m). Everybody has made it.
The next day we summit Kala Pattar (5550m). Here is the team at the summit. We have thinned out a bit as some have started back down to Pheriche as their main objective has been achieved and they are beginning to feel the altitude.
For many when they get there they realise that it is Kala Pattar that is the highlight of the trip with it's amazing views, giving you a 360 of this stunning region and looking directly over to Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and down the Khumbu valley.
On the way back down we met with Pertemba Sherpa my fathers Sirdar in 75 and climbing partner when he summited in 85. We visited his Sherpa Heritage House (in Khumjung), this lovingly restored traditional Sherpa household
This is the family Gompa (prayer room)
The Sherpa Heritage House is a working, living museum lived in by Pertemba's Aunt. At 86 she refuses to move further down the valley and insists on living a traditional lifestyle.
Pertemba (Left) in the kitchen area of the house. In the right hand corner is Pertemba's Aunt's bed, a small pallet with thick yak hair blankets. Also in the picture is Ang Phurba who stayed with Dad at Camp 6 (8321m)
Also in Khumjung our team, guides, porters and clients took on the local boys.... I'm afraid we lost 7-2.
...and so we arrive back in Lukla. Tired, happy and successful.
If you are interested in one of our unique trips go to our homepage to learn more about trekking in Nepal.
Photo’s (c) Lee Burrows, Kathy Taylor, Jeremy Larkin, Janice Duncan, Susan King, Chris Bonington, Joe Bonington, Liam Dai, Adam Halen
Thanks to Berghaus UK, Outdoor Agencies, Trek and Travel Kent Street, Paddy Pallin Kent Street, HimEx and Ally Kilpin, MTA Travel.
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