May 15, 2008 - 9:08pm — MountEverest2008
Springtime in the Khumbu
Pangboche
Hi all. Today was another rest day in Pangboche. It was a great day, as a subset of our group did an easy hike to a neighboring village, Tengboche. En route, we were welcomed by a peaceful spring environment - trees with green leaves, various birds chirping, rhododendrons blooming with white, pink, and yellow flowers. Wildlife was out too; we saw a thar (a type of mountain goat) and even a musk deer (the fanged, tree climbing deer we've been hoping to see for some time). Once in Tengboche, we found an impressive monastery, a surprisingly good bakery, and some beautiful views. We met monks, paid our respects to memorials established for fallen climbers of previous seasons, spun prayer wheels, and again, enjoyed the rich, thick oxygen present at this elevation. We had fun - and I am certain days from now when we are gasping for air high up on Everest, we will think back to this day and take comfort in our knowledge that soon, days of warmth and scenes of green will be ours again very soon.
I've sent another video through that shares a few scenes from the day (it should be on the site very soon). I hope this conveys a little of what spring in the Khumbu is like. Note that even tough Everest climbers stop to smell the occasional flower!
Tomorrow we start to make our way back up. I'll send word from another teahouse... until then, thanks for checking in everyone. I believe it is going to get increasingly exciting here on out.