My Big Escapade - Destination Unknown...: Day 81 - May 28

May28 at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: GPS Trip Sharing with Google Maps

Got up and the weather looked clear and kinda decided to head up. Since my back was complaining the last few days, thought this would be a 'Productive break' from riding. Hmmm... i liked the term 'Productive Break':D Gave the air ticket to the hotel owner so that he could send it to lukla and make it open ticket. Now with the sense of excitement of going to the unknown place start towards Tengboche. The weather is not looking so good. This dampens my spirits and kinda start of think should i head back etc. Then i meet this very swift old man coming and says he had to come back from Lobuche cos of the snow after that place. He walks past at a real good pace and prolly can reach Lukla the same day. Any way this starts the war in me as to head back or continue. I mean i am not into trekking, these people have come for this and will go ahead no matter what. While have see Everest now, and have a long ride planed ahead. Its too much i just stop there for few mins thinking about the decision. The decision making was so freaking that i kinda wanted to jump down the cliff rather :D Then what do you know i kinda started back. IT started raining and i stop to put on rain gear. The war's still going in mind. Then santosh and his client showed up and kinda told about my dilemma and they give a positive suggestion that i should atleast try till Tengboche, coming till here. I kinda take that as positive suggestion and i walk towards Tengboche!! In about half an hour i am in peace with my decision and concentrate on the trek ahead.

First it kinda descends down the river in the valley. Talk to each person coming about the conditions up there, got to know that many walked back in snow and one group had to return from Gorak shep cos it snowed out. But other said that it can get bettor if there's two days of clear weather. I even meet Cornal Masood who summited Mt Everest!! He encouraged not to worry about weather and carry on. After i crossed over the bridge across the river, the path goes up and up with never ending switch backs. As the previous days one bky one groups pass me while i take it slow. Meet Mitsu and Misaki from Japan who are heading up. They go ahead too. Since this is the end of the season, not many go up and i see all these many people coming down after their touch at the Base camp. Man i knew its going to be long few days ahead if i decide to go all the way. Take plenty of breaks, the weather kinda clears up. Thinking about solo travel. Cos atleast on bike one is quite busy but with trekking its kinda different as you have to talk to yourself. But then i was very slow and cant really keepup with some group if i join them. The climbs go on and on and take break at one place. See a porter who says its just 2 mins up. Really? so soon its just 1.15 PM. Well i am there and get into the Himalayan view lodge. And another good view of the entire mountain range even Mt Everest. Have good company at the with the Japanese duo and a young group of Singapore dude and dudets who have come to climb The Island peak! Met them a couple of days earlier too. Checked out the Tengboche monastery. This small settlement of a few hotels even had a cyber cafe which was closed for the season.

It was a nice even spent around the room heater with the all the people, jokes and laughter flow till like post dinner. I kinda start to feel a bit dizzy, prolly an effect of altitude. But looks like i am good to go the next day one level up.

The path towards Tengboche....