From the 2013 Travel Journal – The WMS CME Trek to Everest Base Camp

Part 5 of There Are Signs Everywhere

It was Easter Sunday the day we left for Pheriche.  The sunrise from Tengboche left me speechless:

Sunrise on Easter Sunday in Tengboche

Half the group spent some early morning hours at the Monestary.  The other half had our own religious experience. This actually goes down as one of the most glorious moments of my life. We sipped proper cappuccino, gazing at the sun’s majestic rays painting Ama Dablam in even more beauty, when from someone’s iPod came the whispery voice of Natalie Desai singing “Ave Maria.” A memorable Easter, on many levels. From there, we sang and danced our way to Pheriche.

From the Musical “The 2013 Everest Experience”

Ama Dablam on Easter morning

After sleeping in Pheriche one night. Acclimatization hike from heaven! We trekked to Dengboche, mid-way thru stopping for a typical photo session with Amadibdab, this time with handstands and pyramids.

Acclimatization hiking and handstanding above Pheriche

Conforming above Pheriche

Hit Mama’s Bakery in Dengboche where we met some Trekkers from the UK, had cappuccino, and fun with Sherpa baskets.

Mama’s Bakery in Dengboche, over the hill from Pheriche

Clay gave me a lift

We hiked back in time for grilled yak-cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Two trekkers who had stayed behind in Namche a night (another case of Traveler’s Diarrhea (TD)) rejoined, all recovered after some antibiotics and rehydration solution, and now we are a full team of 15 again. We attended the daily altitude talk at the HRA clinic.

Daily Altitude lecture from the HRA physicians geared toward climbers and trekkers

After the talk, many bought souvenirs/donated to the clinic, and some volunteered to participate in a high-altitude DNA study.

In the name of altitude research…

Suzi and Kirstie tag-teamed with excellent talks on hypothermia, post-avalanche resuscitation and frostbite. Pranav did case studies on TD – big learning day!

Pheriche afternoon lectures

Last night the stars were out for the first time, marking our half-way point til we fly back to Kathmandu. Another amazing day full of beauty, trekking, acclimatizing, learning and most of all, laughter with new friends, in the Khumbu.

The magic of the Khumbu

Namaste & hugs!

To read the trip summary: WMS Everest Experience

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