Day 09 - Trek to Lobuche (16,108ft ~ 5 hours)
The trail today continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Turns out this glacier stuff is pretty cool. PBS actually does a pretty good job of laying it out short and sweet in a three part series.
"Geologically, the Khumbu Icefall sits in a vast amphitheater of rock. Where the mountaineers only see mountains, geologists see a remarkable absence of rock. The mountains are relics of a collisional process. The glaciers have literally removed the mountains, rock by rock, and have taken them down to rivers, which have transported them to the sea. And the quantity is extraordinary. Approximately nine-tenths of the Himalaya has gone, and what's left are these puny little peaks which of course are the targets of all these mountaineers' attempts at glory."—Roger Bilham
We'll also pass by stone memorials for climbers who have perished on nearby summits and head to the village of Lobuche, which is located at the foot of the giant Lobuche peak.
Today we'll gain over 1,600 ft of altitude will be ending over 16,000 ft. I anticipate things will get a little tougher physically but we're one day away from base camp!
No comments:
Post a Comment