Into the clouds

An easy start today as Lama Tenji came down from EBC to meet Sumit and I for our Lobuche climb. It was a very different landscape this morning as snow had fallen throughout the night leaving a thick pure coating across the valley. Starting under grey skies and continuing snow fall we moved upward towards our camp for the next two nights at 5330 meters. In deepening snow the tents were set. Once inside, sleeping bags beckoned and then; it was morning. Ice crystals showered down as we emerged from our cocoons. Throughout the night the snow had transformed our orange tents into igloo like structures. We set off for the summit at a very respectable 8:30am (the benefit of a small group). Climbing through a bright windless morning heat reflected from the snow fields draining energy as we climbed onto steeper, higher ground. By noon clouds had gathered around the summit. Following our stay at 6119 meters we descended back to our camp, coffee, food and that seductive siren like sleeping bag. Under clear sunny skies we returned to Lobuche. Today we rest as tomorrow we make our way to EBC. (Not that we’ll do much more than settle in for the first few days but hey that last bit sounded dramatic 😜).