Today we were on a mission toward Namche (12,300 ft) which is another 12 miles and a drop of another 2,900 ft in elevation. Today was a long day, with a lot of big drops interspersed with climbs. We still had some great views of Thamserku, Ama Dablam, and Everest. Big Ed and I stopped on the trail to kick some hacky sac that a young Sherpa girl had made and was kicking trailside. We spent a few minutes and had to catch the group, but the smile on the girl’s face was more than worth it.

During a break on the trail today, I caught up with the porter who has been carrying my bags. His name is Lakpa, and he carries about 40 kilos on his severely deformed back. As you can see, he is always happy and he greets me every morning to grab my bags to carry down the trail. Once I was over the guilt of this man carrying my bags for me (and beating me to our destination every day), I realized that this work is his only way to make a living. So today it was lucky that I caught up with him! I got a hug and he got a 3 dollar snickers bar. Good trade for me.

Once we got to Namche, those of us who had our bags got immediate showers (thanks Lakpa!). People who had yaks as porters had to wait. I had a wonderfully hot shower and then went and found the Tibetan lady who had saved a few items for me since our trip up the trail. Her name is Lhakpa Dormu, and she came to Nepal in 1982.

She does amazing craft work. I couldn’t barter with her because she was the sweetest and cutest little lady I’ve ever met. She even put a parting gift in my pocket when I left her store today, which was a bracelet made from yak bone. Her husband and son work in her store too and are also very sweet. We both got a laugh out of a picture together!

Tomorrow, we are off to Lukla, where we have a goodbye celebration with the Sherpas and porters before we leave the Khumbu and head back to Kathmandu.

Another Blue Sky Happy Day!