A Day to Relax

October 19, 2007
EBC Trek Day 6
Acclimatization Day in Periche

Today we set the alarm for 7:45 but it was so cozy in bed and so cold outside that we couldn't bring ourselves to get up. When we finally did we got ready really quickly since we didn't have to pack our bags and then had a leisurely breakfast of cheese omelets. I feel like I really needed the protein from the egg but was a bit hesitant about ordering something that I knew would require oil. For our day hike we headed up a ridge overlooking Periche. It was pretty steep but I didn't get too out of breath as long as we walked slowly. From the top of the ridge we could see the village of Dengbouche where we will stay on the way down. We also had great views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam. The view is surreal and amazingly beautiful. I just look around and think, "I can't believe I am standing here." For example, this morning in the courtyard of the teahouse we went out to brush our teeth and all the women were hanging out washing their hair and braiding yak wool into it. It was cool.

We finally got to hiking about 9:30 and hiked past several stupas and quite a few rock towers that had been built by locals. After about two hours we decide to head back down because Kumar said the view of Everest from the top was not that good and it was getting windy and cold. We think that we got to about 15, 000 feet.

For lunch back at the teahouse we shared a pizza and had some garlic soup. The soup is quite strange but rather tasty and Kumar tells us it will help with any high altitude ailments we may have. We had a relaxing afternoon sitting int he sun of the dining room and reading. We also got a hot bucket of water and took quick and "focused" bucket showers. It felt great to get clean. We washed some socks that I am sure will be frozen in the morning as they were already quite stiff with ice this evening. We also got steaming hot towels to wash our hands before dinner. Out here it is the little things that really delight.