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Day 13 - The big day, our climb to the summit of Kala Patthar.
The indoor toilet at our lodge in Gorak Shep had broken so we were asked to use the outside ones overnight. As we were advised to drink 5 litres of fluids a day, it was hard not to face the trip if you didn't have a bottle to wee in. Our Zopkio, named 'Deirdre' by Andy T, had felt the cold overnight (-15) and come into the hallway to lie down to sleep. I had to clamber over her in boxers & thermal tops to use the outside toilets at one AM. The toilet had a good border of frozen piss to catch out the unwary.
We were later told that Deirdre was in fact called Murray and was not a lady at all, I think we all still prefered to think of her as a very feminine Deirdre (sorry Murray).
Anyway, back to the trekking bit, it was a fantastic day and words and photo's really can't do it justice.
Deirdre in the morning, not looking too scathed by her night's experiences...
This one's for you Andy T, Deirdre again...
Morning shots of Pumori & the Buddha Lodge...
Sunrise over Nuptse...
A stack of ladders at Gorak Shep ready for use by the 'Ice Doctors', the Sherpa party that creates a safe passage across the Khumbu Ice Fall each year for all the subsequent expeditions...
Dave, Ben, Rich & John in the hut before the start of the climb...
After crossing the dried lake, the ascent starts...
Everest & Nuptse from part way up Kala Patthar...
Me at the summit. Lakpa arranging Paul J's prayer flags...
Looking down from the summit...
Despite being at over 18,000 feet there was still plenty to look up to.
Pumori...
Prayer flags with Everest and Nuptse in the background...
The South Col (7925m) can be seen between Everest & Nuptse...
Looking on...
Everest, South Col & Nuptse...
Looking down the Khumbu valley to Ama Dablam, Kantega & Thamserku...
Everest & Nuptse...
Everest summit & South Col...
Wider angle of Everest & Nuptse...
Looking down to amongst other things, the confluence of the Changit Shar & Khumbu glaciers...
More shots of Everest & Nuptse...
Close-up shots of Everest's summit...
Pumori...
Close-up of the summit of Pumori...
Everest & the South Col...
Close-up of the summit of Nuptse...
Big Karmi at the summit of Kala Patthar...
Everest & Nuptse...
Bird near the summit of Kala Patthar...
Everest, South Col & Khumbu Ice Fall...
Descending Kala Patthar...
Inquisitive Tibetan Snowcock at Gorak Shep...
Looking back to Gorak Shep as we descend to Lobuche...
Looking down the Khumbu Glacier...
Walking along the lateral morraine to Lobuche...
