Ascent VS Descent
Okay, so, on the up trek, there is a huge concern about acclimatisation, which requires us to ascend at a very slow rate so we allow our bodies to adapt to the increasing altitude and reducing oxygen levels. Therefore, you will see that our walking distances and durations were relatively quite short on the way going up. However, when descending, there is no worry about going too fast or needing our bodies to adapt.
On the contrary actually, because we are coming from high altitudes now, our bodies are able to perform at a physically superior level (above normal) as we get to the lower altitudes. So, you will notice that yesterday and today (and you’ll see tomorrow as well) we have had (and will have) much longer distances and durations to walk. The entire trek took us about 7.5 days to get to the highest point, and only about 2.5 days to get back to the start; that alone gives an indication of the time requirements and allowances for each part of the trek.
Day 9 Trekking
Pangbouche (3950 masl) to Namche Bazaar (3440 masl) – 5 to 6 hours, 13 to 14 km.
Okay, remember about a week ago I spoke about the method of acclimatisation by going up then down then up again? Yea, well today, even though we ultimately descended more than 500 m, we had to do a significant amount of climbing back up the downhills to get to Namche. But, surprisingly, even the uphill climbing sections were easier now that we are coming from a higher altitude. Our bodies are really amazing machines that can be enhanced by simple, natural methods, such as high altitude training, in order to get the most out of it.
Many top athletes use this to train for big competitions, however, the correct timing of the training and rest periods in relation to the race must be accurate because too late or too early could have negative and counter-productive results. On this note, I’m actually quite keen to see how much faster I can run a 5k when I get back home.
Stop and Appreciate the Mountains
We reached the bustling village of Namche Bazaar just after 2 pm today. On the way here, we got the chance to see some really cool things, which we didn’t see on the route going up. I also tried to start taking more artistic and creative pictures to add some extra characteristic to them (a bit late on the journey, but I’m learning this as we go, so hang in there with me). Get ready for the photo overload everyone – we are almost back down to a level where the signal allows me to upload images. For now, I’ve included some of the scenery and animals we saw on our trek today.
Food on the Mountain
One thing I haven’t yet spoken much about is food. Don’t be fooled by thinking you’ll only get to eat canned food stuff and dry bread for the duration of the trek, should you decide to do it. Whatever your belly desires on any specific day, you will be able to find something to answer that craving. Every village has multiple restaurants, where you can get anything from pizza to pasta to momos to noodles to rice to eggs to pancakes. In addition, there are also as many fresh bakeries available along the way, so you can also get good coffee, biscuits, cakes and pasteries. Simple put, you will never be hungry out here on the mountain, and may even go home a couple kgs heavier! But never fear or feel guilty because every meal is justified by saying it’s because we need energy for all the trekking we’re doing. Whatever you need to tell yourself to help you feel better, just make sure you also stay hydrated while you’re walking.
Sagarmatha Next
A relatively new non profit company called Sagarmatha Next has been established with one of its main aims being to reduce the waste on mountain. Beforethis organisation (and even sometimes still) the waste is taken to a landfill area and burned.
The ultimate goal is to build a centre for artists to come and stay and to develop artwork from the waste materials, which can then be put on display and sold to interested buyers. However, while the bigger picture is still in the construction phase, a temporary waste reduction strategy that has been rolled out, and is working exceptionally well, is recycling. The organisation has set up these sorting bins all along the EBC route to encourage trekkers to use them. The paper and can (aluminium) material trash are shredded and then packed into bags of about 1 to 2 kg. Now, to get this waste off the mountain, there has been a voluntary arrangement set up at Namche Bazaar, which allows trekkers to carry along one or more bags as they head towards Lukla where then will drop off the waste, which will continue on its way via helicopter to Kathmandu.
Sore Quads and Calves
Even with the months of physical training and preparation for Everest Base Camp, more than 10 days of consecutive trekking with a backpack and at high altitude really takes its toll on you. As I write this post entry today, I can feel a nagging, but subtle, ache in my legs. Nothing that is unusual for the amount of exercise we have completed in this space if time and nothing that will prevent us from completing the trek tomorrow.
We’ve got the whole day to get from Namche to Lukla tomorrow, where we will spend our last night in the maintains because our flight out to Kathmandu is only the following day, so there is no rush. This is good news considering the last 3 km before Lukla are steps, which we’ll need to climb up tomorrow.
The Last Stretch
It’s the last push and, after everything our bodies just proved we can do, I’m sure the day tomorrow will go well. I’m excited to complete the journey, but also torn about having to leave this place that I feel so connected to. I’m making the most of the time I have left here, I’ll check in with you all again tomorrow.
Bye for now!