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Omg. The internet is so frustrating. It starts to post then doesn’t…Ugg

We did a 2 hour hike today doesn’t sound like much but at 14000ft it is! About 1000 feet. So every 1000ft of elevation you should acclimate a day. I thought that meant rest but it means stay at the altitude and do a hike up a little higher. We had breakfast before and lunch after then I strolled down to the 4410 cafe. That is our altitude in meters. Had some tea and electrolyte water and a delicious brownie like thing. Then back to the Tea house to sit out side and read.

It’s about 45-50 degrees in the day and should be for the rest of my trip. The snow is melting. Nights are cold. Last night was 17 degrees F.

Tomorrow we have a six hour day, Hike back up then a long down then ups and downs and then a steep up. The accommodations will be pretty rustic with no running water limited electricity. In this tea house, no heat, the electricity in the room is on 5 pm til 7 am. No water in the night. Everything is solar.

It has been luxurious staying at the same tea house for two nights. What would be better is washing my hair! I feel like I just had a Brazilian blowout. That braid idea was a waste of time! How about a haircut in Kathmandu!

I decided to shorten my days and helicopter out after the photo op at EBC. I know that I will be done by then! So Lobouche tomorrow and Gorek Shep the next day, possibly two days. Better to go to EBC in the morning.

Photos and videos when I get to Kathmandu!

It wasn’t as bad of a trek as I expected. The altitude continues to make the uphills harder for me but I did it. I have had a headache and having taken one Advil per day. You should not take too much at altitude and I already take a baby aspirin., daily

Some of the paths were very narrow because of washouts, one spot I looked down and was a bit nervous. It was a big steep area. When going up I much prefer scrambling on rocks rather than gravel or steps.

We finally got to Dingboche. It’s a little more rustic and there is still so much snow. It is melting and it makes the path very muddy.

The tea house is better than the last and I have my own bathroom. No shower and the toilet seat needed to be tightened, so I did that.

As usual we had some tea, ordered dinner and then unpacked a bit. We stay here two nights! A water bottle I stashed in the duffle that the porter carries had a pin hole hole and got my pillow a little wet, could have been worse. Took a nap, now in the tea house waiting for dinner.

As we walked into the village, I couldn’t understand that we went to the Guest House furthest away, but Nimmi knows where she wants to go. And knows everyone and she is well respected. There are very few female guides. The ladies that I talk to are envious that I have. Female guide.Photos to follow later

Guest house

Today we will have breakfast at 8 and leave at 8:30. It will be 6 hour day of trekking. When I woke up at 5:45 it was 23 degrees. No central heating. Every once in awhile while I was sleeping I thought I heard a furnace start up. Nope. Incessantly barking dogs were Ike me up early today. I went to sleep at 8:30

I have hand warmers that I throw into my sleeping bag while I am getting ready and it really helps. I throw my long underwear in to warm them up too. And my sleeping socks. By the middle of the night I am too warm. I sleep in smart wool long underwear and socks. I keep forgetting a beanie to keep my head warm. Apparently this helps with decreasing Altitude sickness.

In the morning, I just put my clothes for the day, in my still warm sleeping bag and then decided, why not me too. I was freezing!

This guest house is pretty new, they were affected by that terrible earthquake a few year ago so they rebuilt. I think they forgot the sink ! No where to brush your teeth! Don’t worry, I did anyway.

And only a squatter for the toilet. Difficult with sore legs. Aiming is fun!

My room does not have a lock from the inside, broken. A man walked in yesterday looking for Nimmi. So, last night I placed my duffle between the door and bed and felt safe enough.

Chatted with a young solo female traveler last night. She’s from UK but lives in Australia. She spent six months in South America never sleeping in a bed and cried when she finally did . She is climbing a mountain today snd will start medical school soon. Her guide is Nimmis boyfriend.

What’s this?

The hike was pleasant. It was supposed to be to be a 3 hour hike. I had already asked the question of which time does she tell me when I ask how long. Does she give her time, average persons time or mine. She gives my time to include breathing breaks. My legs are tired but not painful, thanks to the gym and hiking at home but my breath can’t keep up on the uphills and my heart beats hard too so I have to stop. Natalie had suggested 50 steps and then a minute of rest. My schedule is more like 25 steps and 30 second rest. Nimmi respects my schedule and she constantly tells me that she has had many slower hikers. Down hill I am fine. Every step has to be looked at, as soon as you look at something and walk you will be in trouble, tripping, falling, stepping in poop etc.

The scenery is spectacular. Around each turn is something new. We saw the national bird. He is very colorful

Hope to rest a bit today. The altitude is tough. Back at 13,000 feet

I slept pretty well. Not too cold. So many noisy Indian men in. A group next to me. I gave one hit to the wall and maybe they started talking quieter. The guest house is pretty much plywood. I saw a man on the trail carrying 4 sheets of plywood. Photo later. No vehicles since Lukla. Everything is brought by ox, mule or human or helicopter and now by drone too.

The bathrooms are pretty clean. There is western style and squatters, urinals in both. Two to a floor, one shower and one sink in the hall wait. I think there are 50 people here.