Kongma La: Our First High Pass

In the Khumbu Valley with Pumori in the background

Yesterday we climbed Chuckung Ri, an acclimatization hike that almost everyone chooses to do before going over Kongma La.  It is just over 18,000 feet but we didn’t go all the way to the top because Dad and I got headaches.  Mom was the only one feeling good which is funny because she was the one with altitude problems lower down when Dad and I were fine.

- Brook

Crossing the Khumbu Glacier

Brook's Journal: Day 20 and we finally did our first high pass, Kongma La!  It was a really long day; starting off at 6:45 am and finally trudging into the village where we are staying, Lobuche, at 4:00 pm. The first part of the descent was more challenging because it was steep and we were walking through a lot of snow.  About half way down from the pass I sat down and said that I couldn’t go any further, period.  After a rest I did keep going, but Dilli carried my pack for me.  I guess I used more of my energy getting up to 18,155 ft. than I had realized.  It didn’t help that we could see Lobuche from the top of the pass but couldn't seem to get there.  Even though it was a hard day it was a good day and I'm glad we did it.  At the end we crossed the Khumbu glacier.  I really enjoyed that.  It was my first time on a glacier.  I think it’s amazing that we were walking on rocks, boulders, and ice that move fast enough that the trail has to be reset every year.  We were glad to have Tanka leading us because the trail was very hard to follow.  In some places it seemed almost nonexistent.  When we finally got to Lobuche it was disheartening to see how dirty and unfriendly it was.

At the top of Kongma La (pass)