The rest of the party followed the path alongside the Khumbu Glacier and over the steep, undulating moraines of the Chagri Shar Glacier to Gorak Shep. It is an exhillerating if exhausting climb at this altitude. The moraines, mountainous piles of broken granite, seem never ending. The students were somewhat relieved to see the small lodges of Gorak Shep come into view at the base of Kala Patthar.
After a fairly light lunch and large amounts of chocolate (it is good to have an excuse), we set off for Everest Base Camp. It is a tough trek over the moraines and can take 5 hours unless you are well acclimatized. I have never seen students as happy to achieve a goal. There were no tents in sight - but a number of yaks passed us on their way to set up a camp for a British climbing team that is due to arrive in Lukla on April 4th.
Back at the lodge in the late afternoon, the students sat drinking hot chocolate and talking of their success. Dambar and I went off to climb Kala Patthar for the sunset.
One goal achieved!
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