Day 8: Tengboche to Lobuche

We woke up with snow on the ground and glorious blue skies. It was breathtaking. After omelette for breakfast we headed up over the hill from yesterday and down the other side to the flat plateau between the mountains. The snow cover peaks loomed above us and the snow and ice crunched under our feet. We felt like the only people in the world. 

Given I've been a bit behind the others the last few days, dorja had got Pravin one of the other Sherpas to keep me company and tell me when to stop so I wasn't pushing myself too much. 

Today we tried a new stratergy of leaving each stop 15 mins early to get a bit of a head start. We stopped for tea after crossing the frozen river on a narrow plank of wood. He decided to have lunch there as well as we'd been going for several hours. After lunch Pravin and I headed out before everyone else up the steep hill towards the Everest memorial. 

At this stage, despite the steep incline, I was feeling pretty good and pretty strong. We were going at a good pace with regular stops. We got to the top before the others arrived finding the memorial of famous Nepalese and western climbers who sadly died climbing Everest. The others arrived and we had 10 mins sun bathing in our full hiking gear on what felt like the roof of the world. 

We headed off together for the hour and a bit hike to lobuche. I was exhausted. At 4900 meters every step felt like a marathon. I was out of breath quickly and I'm pretty sure I'd pulled a muscle between my ribs from all the heavy breathing which was killing me every time I took a deep breath. 

We finally arrived at lobuche to wifi and mars bars as well as rooms with extra blankets. It's going to be -20 tonight.

I was exhausted. Head throbbing. Dizzy. Oxygen deprived. Generally feeling rubbish. The wifi helped to speak to family and friends all who we encouraging and supportive. 

I forced down more pain killers and diamox and veg fried potatoes for dinner hoping I'd feel a bit better. To be honest I really don't. 

Tomorrow brings everything we've been working towards, Everest base camp. Then sleeping at 5100 meters before attemp to summit kala pattar the following morning for the worlds best view of Everest and the Himalayas. 

I should be really excited and I am but I'm so exhausted. No amount of 14 hour shifts or half marathons compare to this. I hope after a good night sleep I'll be fighting fit and raring to go for the day ahead.