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    Day 79 - May 26 - Everest view hotel and Khumjung

    May26 at EveryTrail

    Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

    Had left the windscreens wide open so that sun rays could wake me up before the alarm does. But the alarm won. And was disappoint to look outside. Pretty dull and cant even see the nearby mountain. The day would be flop and yes not Mt Everest today, by the looks of it no Tomm and never. As i will not go ahead. All the euphoria of making it till Namche gone kinda gone. It was depressing weather out there. I just lie on the bed thinking nothing. by 7.30 i had enough of it and thought of to trek till the Everest view hotel any way, as it would be bettor than sitting idle in the room. Push myself out of the bed and get ready. This time barrow an umbrella from the Hotel owner. So that at least i can take some pix on the way. It was to be a couple of hours of trek going up and up and up. go high above the town and at a army camp the soldiers pointed me to the track going way up to the top of the mountain.

    Got to the start of it and it was nothing but switch backs and switch backs. Its raining and its cold. Just imagining the whole thing with bright sunlight. Get good top views of the Namche town surrounded by by snow capped mountains with the tips hidden in the fog. Its raining all the way. A group of 4 people pass me. They was also on the way to the Everest view hotel. For today lets just call it the hotel cos there is not going to be an Everest view. After the climb of the stoney switch backs get to to see the SoluKumbhu airfield. Which is rarely used. Prolly the highest airport in the world. It does not even have a black top. See a building high up. Its steep climb up with no steps. The rain gets harder and gets a bit windy. I see the group way above. As i reached the building, it was another hotel named panorama hotel and lot of walk left for the one i am going. Pass by the hotel and now have to walk on the ridge with a drop off on the side of the 3 feet path. Its windy that it almost blows of the umbrella. It such a pain to take photos, taking out the came from inside the rain gear, manage the swaying umbrella and take a pic etc. Miss many pix. After some walk its lil more climb to the hotel which i can see now. Looked pretty nice though. There was a welcome boards saying the height of 3880 meters. Man it was a 440 meter climb in just 2.5 hours!! The guys from the group ahead are already settled there. I went straight to the restaurant and look at the supposed space where Everest can be seen on clear days. And what do you know missed it by two days. As it was clear the day i flew into lukla. So close! Yes i trekked for three days and i may never get to see Mt Everest. All the people i meet are going up to the Base camp.

    Talk to the group, where Dhreeraj is from Bangalore and there's a Brazilian couple and a guide. They get the hotel guys to start a fire at the fire place. It was a nice time with the much neede warmth and we spent time just chatting about our travel experiences. Motorcycle travel kinda gets people curious. But i am not hero around these base camp trekkers. Almost like 2 hours there and the time just flew. Dheeraj calls me over to join him to check out the town call Khumjung near by which had a yeti skull in the monastery! I join him. Kinda skeptical about the walking pace. But the curiosity of the yeti skull got the bettor of me. These guys comfortable walking along continuously and i try to keep pace with them all the way with out resting in between as i dint knew the way. By the time we reached the town my legs started hurting at the place which does on my previous treks without sufficient rest. I managed two and half days of trek well but this small continuous walk kinda broke me down. Get into the monastry and sure enough there is a strange looking skull from above the eye line. Even the keepers dont know the origin of it except that it was gifted from the near by town. Looked realy strange. Looked kinda real and was a cone head. Gave a small donation. And we head back as i take a few pix. once on to the track to Namche i let Dheeraj and the guide go ahead and i get back to my slow pace resting and all. But kinda bit late i guess. Leg hurting bad now. have to climb up the ridge again as Namche is on the other side. Now a bit lost my way and a local man told me to take a way. I kinda head towards the panaroma hotel to catch the trail and i have to literally walk through the bushes.

    Finally on the trail back to Namche. Took a couple of pix of the air strip and start the climb down from the steep switch backs overlooking Namche. Sit at a point and just while my time viewing and soaking the panorama around. Spent quite some time there. Prolly an hour so just gazing at the view. Meet Jason on his way up. Though pretty dull for the camera the panorama was very nice. Its 3 pm by the time i am back in the town. Go to the bakery for something different. Then over hard conversation of guy could not summing Mt Everest cos of health issues. He had gone till 21000 feet. Joined in and had a look at his fantastic collection of pix. By now running out of cash and to get cash its like you swipe ur card and you get cash at some commission. Met Jason again there and his sister Ashley at the same hotel. And then it was some time in travel talk. Now that i haven't seen Everest was not knowing what i will do tomm. If the weather is good will try the view again or start back by noon till Manjo.


    Morning at Namche...





    The mountains hiding in clouds...


    The vertical climb to Everest view hotel...





    More hiding mountains...


    Thought that was the hotel...


    but not...


    More walk ahead...


    Finally the hotel...


    Damn it was a 440 meter climb in 2 hours...


    The view point with no view...


    Some fire over talks...


    The expensive room at the hotel...


    Everest hiding in the center...


    Can only see it here...


    The khamjung town...


    The awesome Kumbiula peak...


    In the town...


    The Yeti skull gyan...


    This is supposed to be a real Yeti skull from the eyebrow up!!


    In the monastery...


    Lot of carving kept for people to read!...


    Pretty views on the way back...


    The panorama hotel...


    The Solukhumbu Airport and the runway does not even have tarmac!!


    This was really teasing. Can see Manjo and permit office from here and i thought it was very far behind after all the walk!!


    The next five pix is a panorama. Couldnt stich it!






    Namche from above...
    sigpic
    The truth is out there. Get out of ur couch!!!
    'My Escapades - The Blog'

    Comment


    • Weather was clear today and yes i saw Mt Everest today. Got pix of Mt Ama dablam too. Will post in next update.
      sigpic
      The truth is out there. Get out of ur couch!!!
      'My Escapades - The Blog'

      Comment


      • Originally posted by praveenkm View Post
        This was my crazy bill at the hotel:
        Dinner Rice and vegetables 300 Rs
        Breakfast chow Min 200 Rs
        Coffee 70 Rs
        Internet 45 mins at 10rs per min 450 Rs

        And hold
        Room rent for the day 100 Rs only !! no its not a typo its just 100, a third of my dinner expense!!

        This needs to be added in Philip Kotlers Marketing Book for MBA guys....
        Man awesome way or making money. Eyes poping out ....didnt you saw the menu card? or you didnt bothered to enquire...probably you are looted/robbed or fooled....Jokes apart, i think the cost must be so high because they might be paying very high for transportation of basic goods and also tourism is the only way for earning there life and I am sure not many make it up to that place.

        This reminds me the cost price that I paid at InterContinental The Grand Palace Heritage Hotel, Srinagar. Know known as The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar (check the beauty at The Lalit - Grand Palace Srinagar)
        Somebody Stop Me.....
        Brakes Failed :(

        Comment


        • Wow, nice pics Praveen. Nepal is a beautiful country!

          Planning on coming back anytime soon?

          I think this is the nth time I'm saying this, but then it is the truth....AMAZING ride man!
          _________________________
          LoneWolfRides©

          Comment


          • Hehe viny, srinagar is way way far.

            Thanks praful. Will be back in good time:d

            Managed to trek till tengboche. Donno how far ahead will i go
            sigpic
            The truth is out there. Get out of ur couch!!!
            'My Escapades - The Blog'

            Comment


            • Originally posted by praveenkm View Post
              Hehe viny, srinagar is way way far.
              Nothing seems to be to far for you
              Keep moving, keep clicking, keep writing, keep posting and we will keep enjoying :P
              Somebody Stop Me.....
              Brakes Failed :(

              Comment


              • Originally posted by praveenkm View Post
                Weather was clear today and yes i saw Mt Everest today. Got pix of Mt Ama dablam too. Will post in next update.
                Awesome man.. any plans of trekking it

                Comment


                • Very Nice Hats Off....

                  Very Nice Trip Dude... Hats Off to You....

                  Comment


                  • @ Awesome

                    Well I could read your log after four days. Reaching my office the first thign I did was read all that I missed & work was being neglected.

                    Trust me..... for one hour I was reading & intend to keep work aside anytime for such wonderful pics & words.
                    Nepal is a b'ful. I've been there many times & could identify some places.. Keep riding & all the best.
                    sigpic

                    LIFE IS SHORT !!! GO HARD

                    Comment


                    • nice pics

                      well done sir g....again nice pics a treat to watch...
                      sigpic
                      Ride with Pride...........wear a Helmet

                      I do blog
                      Twisting with the twists
                      Rajathan too big to explore
                      Lansdowne 2X

                      Comment


                      • Dude... we r waiting update it...

                        Comment


                        • Nepal is surely a very beautiful country.From whatever I have seen from Praveen's trip the vistas look much better than Bhutan.

                          @Praveen-I won't be surprised if the other day you post a picture of yours and your bike from the topmost point of Everest.
                          Last edited by MG; 06-02-2009, 11:33 PM.
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                          My photography page: Gourab Das Photography

                          Comment


                          • @praveen: waiting for the Everest pics..
                            NABENDU BASU

                            Comment


                            • Updating from fone.
                              Trekked to everest base camp and summited kala pattar. Cannot belive it!
                              Inching my way back.
                              sigpic
                              The truth is out there. Get out of ur couch!!!
                              'My Escapades - The Blog'

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by praveenkm View Post
                                Updating from fone.
                                Trekked to everest base camp and summited kala pattar. Cannot belive it!
                                Inching my way back.
                                WOW!!!!!
                                All the best.
                                A professional candid photographer - 17000+ followers. Be in touch
                                https://www.facebook.com/Jonak.Photo

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