Every day on this adventure has revealed something wonderful.
Today just takes the cake, blows me away and tops it all. Pick your own cliché.
I just hope my photos go a small way to doing it justice.
Day: 10
Date: Friday, 11 October 2024.
From: Macchermo (4,410m) To: Gokyo (4,759m)
Daily Km: 7.4km Walking Time: 3h07m
Progress: 51.6km
Ascent: 461m Descent: 51m
Weather: Can you believe this perfect weather? Clear and cool.
Terrain: Very steep sections with sheer drops plummeting away to the valley way below. Plus, some pleasantly level sections.
Stayed At: Fitzroy Inn & Bakery
General Comments:
- Here it is, Day 10, and last night I had probably the best sleep of the whole trip AND I woke up feeling remotely ‘normal’. That’s a big statement for me! 😊.
- Maybe I am starting to get a little used to this altitude thing as I even felt like breakfast. Yes, it was the usual porridge with honey, but we were also treated to the decadence of a sprinkle of cinnamon. This was highly unexpected as the proprietor is a grumpy mongrel who views us all as cash ATMs and is out to make as much money as he can. Hence there was a long and vocal argument in rapid-fire Nepali over a bill from another group. I don’t know who came out the winner of that one.
- Suitably carb-loaded, it was time to tackle the inevitable incredibly step path that we seem to start all our days with. While I have slept and eaten better, I am still terribly slow on the inclines and need to stop regularly to catch my breath.
- It’s interesting that not one of us has had a blister or sore muscle since we started this trek, so obviously there are some benefits of moving so slowly, slowly.
- When I stop for yet another 60second break, I always turn around and look back to where we have come from. This gives me a small sense of making progress and often, the most beautiful views are behind us. Bonus!
- The landscape has changed dramatically today. We enjoyed short sections of health-like tundra – blissfully level – and then we were crossing old glaciers and rocky moraine. There were even small patches of snow in amongst the rocks and one of our Group had fun trying to hit us with snowballs. Unfortunately, I was a very slow target.
- At one spot, I looked up ahead and could see a VERY steep and sheer path going up the edge of the cliff. I thought, “there’s no way we will be walking up that” and then I spotted a group of tiny, colourful hikers (complete with their leader carrying a flag on a stick) edging their way up to great heights. Yep, time for me to pull up my Big Girl Britches yet again.
- Finally, we got to my favourite section of the path so far, possibly due to the relatively level terrain, but mostly due to the outstanding beauty of the three lakes leading to the village of Gokyo.
- The colour of the water has to be seen to be believed. It’s the most translucent green colour with tinges of aquamarine. The lakes looked so inviting, just beckoning us for a swim, until Roy told us about a hiker who foolishly dived in and died from the impact of the cold.
- Today’s path was quite busy with people hiking up and yak trains heading down. We even saw a couple of young men on sturdy ponies galloping full pelt across the rocky terrain. How the pony didn’t trip or stumble, I will never know. A misstep would have been fatal for both pony and rider.
- We were making good time today and counting down the lakes, knowing that Gokyo was located on the edge of the third lake. What dented the morale was the view up ahead of a mountain called Gokyo Ri. The schedule said we were to climb up there tomorrow as part of our acclimatisation. I swear to God the path looked like it was almost vertical! GULP!
Highlights & Tips:
- Tomorrow is a ‘rest’ day, however see previous dot point! It does mean we get two nights at the Fitzroy Inn, which in turn, means that we don’t have to pack up and move for one day. Yay!
- The Fitzroy Inn is a substantial lodge with possibly up to 50 rooms. Our room has the most amazing views of the mountains and it almost feels like it is a framed photo.
- All our rooms are on the ground floor (small mercies), but we must crawl up three sets of stairs to the third floor to access the Common/dining room! Boy, did the legs complain about that!?
- The views from that height were definitely worth the agony though and I could have sat there all day just watching the clouds, mountains, and colours change. Just magic!
#travelinspo #EverestBaseCampCircuit #multidayhikes #adventurebeforedementia #longdistancewalks #Nepal #teahouses #WorldExpeditions # epicadventures #greatoutdoors #crosscountry #exploreonfoot #exoticdestinations #hikingadventures #yaks #Sagarmatha #remotevillages #Gokyo #waterviews #lakeviews
Life...one big adventure 
Yes, the scenery on this day, particularly when we arrived at the lakes was spectacular!
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One of the best! xx
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The scenery is spectacular! And it’s a good thing the photos turned out well- there’s no going back for another shot, Mel!
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You are so right!😁😊
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Your photos absolutely reflect your feeling – what a beautiful day! The views are unbeatable … of the mountains, valleys and of course those lakes – WOW! And you’re right – I (who get blisters easily when I hike) – have noticed that when I walk slowly due to a rocky terrain and over hills, I have no blisters to deal with. So … that’s the secret to a blister-free hike then!
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Does that mean you are giving me permission to plan even longer walks and taken even more time to complete them?? 🙂
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Exactly 😅.
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Ta!
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It’s cracking me up seeing Blah Blah Inn & Bakery in your last couple of posts. I’m so used to seeing Blah Blah Inn & Suites! Gorgeous views and sleep + food! Yay!
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I suspect there are as many qualified bakers in the Himalayas as there are drivers with genuine drivers licenses in all of Nepal. 🙂
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😂
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WOW your photos are epic, so I can only imagine how impressive it was in person. What an experience and so incredibly special 🙂
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Yep – all of the above! Thanks for strolling with me. x
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Gulp! Much as I am enjoying the beautiful photos I am not enjoying that rocky terrain and the sheer paths up the mountains! You are one Gutsy Lady!
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Luckily heights don’t bother me…the steep ascents on the other hand present a MUCH greater challenge.
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Yep!
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I hope to read next that you did Gokyo Ri…and Kala Patar. 😊
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Hmmmm, how to let you down gently??
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You seem to be settling into a rhythm Mel, and I’m glad you got rest day!
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Yes, a rhythm of sorts. 🙂
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Such a fascinating and beautiful place. And remote. One of my cousins enjoys hiking . Thank you for the lovely photos.
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You got it in one! Equally fascinating and beautiful.
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Stunning views indeed! And great that you could appreciate them after a better night’s sleep 😀
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Life is always better and brighter after a decent sleep, I reckon.
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I feel like I say the same thing with each post, but wow. This is incredible!!
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and my replies are probably the same too! Yes, it is incredible!
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