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Everest Base Camp – We’ve already traveled a vertical distance of over 37,000 feet to get here – that’s more than one Everest!

The final approach to Base Camp from Gorak Shep takes you across the constantly moving Khumbu Glacier. You have to walk fast because the avalanche danger is very high. It is also very important to cross the glacier early in the day when the avalanche risk is lower as opposed to late afternoon when the increased snow melt creates more danger. Even while you walk you can hear the ice cracking and moving all around you and every once in a while you will hear an avalanche in the distance.

Everest Base Camp at 17,000 feet

Alpine Ascents' climbing headquarters at Base Camp

Base Camp itself sits right on the glacier and you can see the Khumbu Ice Fall from the camp. At just over 17,000 feet, Base Camp sits right at the base of Everest so you can’t actually see the summit from the camp. When we arrived we were able to see several groups of tents representing climbing teams from different countries all over the world. There was also an Alpine Ascents International climbing team there so we visited their station, met the climbers, and then walked over to the base of the Ice Fall.

Dad and I celebrating

The 14 members of our trekking team plus 6 guides Note: Jim Roux, second from left in the back row, was killed on September 11, 2001. May you rest in peace, Jim.

The famous Khumbu Ice Fall

Dad and I on our last night at 16,000+ feet

Everest Base Camp Trek Journal:
Lukla – Welcome to the Khumbu Region
Phakding – It’s all uphill from here
Namche Bazaar – Never stand between a yak and a 1,000-ft sheer drop off
Thame – Good ‘ol sherpa hospitality
Khunde – May those who seek the Path of Peace find It, and Happiness
Tengboche – Hot showars for everyone
Dingboche – 14,300 foot high yak pastures
The Pyramid – Who built a pyramid in the middle of the Himalayas?
Gorak Shep – The inside of my tent is as cold as a meat locker
Kala Pattar – It’s all downhill from here, for us anyway
Everest Base Camp – We’ve already traveled a vertical distance of over 37,000 feet to get here – that’s more than one Everest!

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