Tomorrow's (Monday) walk is to Phortse, a 5hr trek that is mostly downhill with an uphill bit at the end. I'm doing relatively good with the hills now, not good "enough", but relatively good.
Amanda noted to me that our lead guide (Mane or Dawa) walk at the pace of the person immediately behind them. And as such Angela likes it when I'm in front. I had already noticed this, and had experimented a few times to verify. I'm tempted for the big up hill tomorrow to get in front.
Prem (lead guide) congratulated us this evening on our success today, he said he's been a guide a long time and it's rare to have a group this size where everyone makes it to the top of Gokyo Ri, usually some people turn back, or don't attempt it.
It's interesting, it's a 5 hour trek and I'm thinking "well, it's not too long". The concept of doing daily treks like this two weeks ago seemed crazy (despite me planning on doing it)
- 3 hour trek to Phakding (mostly downhill)
- 7 hour trek gaining 800m to Nameche
- 4 hour trek gaining 500m to Mongla
- 4 hour trek, "Nepalese flat" to Dole
- 4 hour trek gaining 400m to Machhermo
- 3.5 hour trek to Gokyo gaining 300m
- The big one, 5am trek up Gokyo Ri gaining around 500m to reach 5,365m (17,600ft), 3 hours up, 1 hour down.
- That same morning, 3 hour trek back to Machhermo (downhill (mostly))
That's every day (except one rest day in Nameche which started with an acclimatisation hike). Hiking every day, a minimum of 3.5 hours.
We wake up each morning, usually around 6:30am, depending on the day, and are walking by 7:30 or 8am.
Anyway, time to go to sleep, it's 8:30pm, well past my bedtime.
No comments:
Post a Comment