Today, we started the the long journey back to Lukla in earnest. But… before we left, we had the optional trek up Kala Patar to get our best view of Everest yet and see the sun rise over Everest to boot. We left the lodge at 5 AM to start our 1200 ft climb. Long story short, I missed the peak by about 300 feet. I just wasn’t keeping up with the group at altitude with the climb. When I saw the sun was about to peek over,  I stopped along with one other group member and the Sherpa that hung back with us. Kami (Sherpa) offered to carry my pack for me, but I declined; however high I got on the mountain needed to be on my own. I have no regrets about not hitting the top; I still bested 18,000 feet and I knew I had a long hike to Pheriche in front of me and needed to conserve energy. I thought that was pretty good for me to have not dipped into diamox medication to increase my O2 levels. Mt. Denali summit is only 20,310 ft …just sayin …..

The view did not disappoint – I saw the most I had seen of Everest from that mountainside, and ate a frozen cliff bar and drank slushy frozen water while watching the sunrise.

We made our way down and met up for breakfast. It was a bit of a rush to get my bags packed, eat breakfast, and be ready for departure time.

We then started back to Pheriche, a nice relief after staying in the pit called Gorak Shep. The first part was rough terrain with some climbing, but it soon eased up into more downhill and less rocks. But not before we hit a yak traffic jam that made 635 look tame.

We stopped in Lobuche for lunch, my back was hurting a bit, so I popped an Excedrin. I also adjusted my pack rigging and changed my posture in hopes of helping.

The terrain started to become familiar, so I knew we were closing in on Pheriche. I think the whole group was ready for the stop. I was most happy to pay $5.00 for a hot shower after three days without; Im sure my whole team was ready for me to have that shower as well.

We had a good meal as a team, and followed it up with hot chocolate, and we were all pretty chill at that point. I guess we all feel some of the pressure is off; but we do have 2 more hard walking days to get back to Lukla.