EBC Day 9/ Kala Patthar

Began the day with a three hour hike at 4am up to 5,500m before starting our descent and hiking another six hours.

With only a juice box and a few apricots in my stomach I braved out into the frigid air at 4am. A few other brave souls and I set out to conquer Kala Patthar. It is a mountain that sits modestly above base camp at 5,550m and, when clear, provides a beautiful view of Mt. Everest.

As I slowly worked my way up using a headlamp to guide me I dreamed of my warm sleeping bag waiting for me back at the teahouse. We slugged on up the mountain breathing heavily through the cold air.

After two and a half hours our numb feet had brought us to the top. We stopped just long enough to snap a few photos and then quickly headed down to the yak dung fire. As we descended it began to sprinkle snow. I was excited to see snow but sad because the clouds were blocking our view of Everest. I couldn't be too upset because we had great luck so far with clear skies and got to see the mountain way more than most.

With french toast on my mind I hurried back down in only 30 minutes. Once back at the teahouse I enjoyed my breakfast and mentally prepared for the long hike ahead of me. I used my accomplishment from this morning to power myself the three hours to lunch.

After chapati with vegetable curry we set out for another three hours to Periche. I used the help of conversations and music to keep me moving and take my mind off how exhausted I was. The view was remarkable as always and was captivated by the mountains surrounding me.

When we finally arrived at the teahouse I grabbed a new book from Katy and sat by the fire with a can of very overpriced Pringles. I read until a dinner of yak cheese pizza which was strangely delicious. The meal was filled with exhausted laughter. Quickly after we all went off to bed to prepare for the extra long day tomorrow.

To give ourselves more days in case the weather doesn't cooperate with our flight back to Kathmandu we decided to hike two days worth tomorrow which will be difficult after the 9 hours we hiked today.