Lobuje (Wednesday)

The drama continues, but maybe resolving itself. Everyone's done all they can, so what will be will be.

Now on to other stuff....

Base Camp Ahead

Tomorrow is the day. We will be heading off early in the morning and trekking to Gorak Shep (3hrs), then we dump everything in our day pack that we don't need, swap around anything we need, and then.... we make the climb. 

Aside from yesterday, I'm feeling pretty good and my physical fitness has been coming along in leaps and bounds. I do keep in the back of my mind I was at 17,500ft a few days ago, and since then I've been lower, so my body has a lot more oxygen. But EBC is the same height as Gokyo Ri, so hopefully I'll do better.

I've been told that Gokyo Ri is slightly harder than EBC, that EBC is a gentler slope, just rockier. I'm not sure how that'll play out. I have my walking pole which I lean on (no pun intended) for the uphill parts. When it's really rocky terrain, your pole is just as likely to stick between rocks and at best trip you, at worst bend or snap.

Whatever will be will be, whether I'm able to use the pole, or not. 

Clothing

One of my daily dilemmas is what to wear, Hugo Boss or Armani. But in addition, there's what layers to trek. I overheat really quickly when hiking, so often find myself in just one layer. I've been balancing up different options, hiking in the base layer, or t shirt, or long/sleeve base layer. 

The issue that comes up is two fold - stops and weather. Whenever we stop I immediately start getting cold, and the wind can pickup quickly. I'd tried the warm jacket, but then I have to pull it out of my pack, put it on, and when we set off (or when the wind drops) pack it again (wearing it around my waist is bad, it gets wet from sweat)

I think I've finally worked out the optimal, which is t-shirt and hardshell rain jacket - it's gortex so it breathes a bit. It provides the shelter from the wind, so I feel warm.

I also balance it with other simple adjustments, my buff (head scarf thingy), tied in a pirates knot (see previous post), can cover ears or not, cover forehead or not. Simple adjustments like that make all the difference in balancing my own heat.

Group pace

I don't remember if I've discussed this, but with this Intrepid Travel group we stay mostly together. The further apart we are, the more dangerous it is, in that we have to have two guides at the back, so if someone has a problem, one of the guides can run forward for help from the third guide. They all carry lots of stuff in their backpacks, ranging from (soft) stretchers, AMS chamber bag, medical gear, oxygen, so when they need the stuff, all three need to be there.

This means that whilst there is a "at your own pace", it's still strongly preferred that pace be within 10mins of the front of the group. 

There really isn't a valid option to take 5 hours on a 3 hour trek with Intrepid.

It's certainly definitely possible to, when on your own, to do as you wish. Hire a porter, a guide, or a porter-guide, or just strike it out entirely by yourself.