Thangnak - Cho La Pass - Lobuche (9 hours hike)
15,387ft/4690m - 17,782ft/5420m - 16,175ft/4930m
This was a long day! Woke early to clear skies and got started on the trail and make the pass before the clouds arrive. We left about 6:15 and had clear skies and great views all morning. We hit the first the snow at the base of Cho La on the rocks approaching the climb up. The path zig-zagged up over snow covered rocks...luckily they were not icey yet. We made great time and got up on the pass at 9:30 - just before the clouds came in. The views of Cho La and Kangchung peaks to the north and Lobuche peak to the east...Everest was visible, but quickly disappeared behind the clouds.
There was a steep bit after the pass to get down, but not nearly as tricky as I was expecting based on talk from the other trekkers. And then crossed a snow field before the descent over snow covered rocks into the valley towards Dzonglha.
We made good time, so decided to stop for tea in Dzonglha and then continue on to Lobuche.
Half way up to the pass and looking back down towards Thagnak and the Ngozumpa glacier:
Approacing the top of Cho La:
Takashi & Paulina arrive for photos at the top of Cho La pass:
Snow field on the East side:
Tea & dal soup stop in Dzonglha with Cholatse so close behind:
I decided not to stay in Dzonglha and continued towards Lobuche. This part of the trail was easy, passing through wildflowers with Ama Dablam in full view in front until we reached the Khumbu valley to head north towards Everest…which was still hidden behind the clouds.
At night a group of us from the guest house enjoyed a treat of stars and moonlight reflecting off Nuptse. The nights have been so cloudy, and this was the first good moon I have seen in a while. Picture to come soon from a fellow trekker with a much better camera than I have with me.
