Occasional Climber

Breaking 6,000m – Lobuje to Kongma La

Kami Chiri Sherpa, our guide for the next 4 days, shows us a way across the Khumbu Glacier from Lobuje
Kami and Ed pick their way through a labyrinth of ice and rock on the Khumbu Glacier
Kami and Ed pick their way through a labyrinth of ice and rock on the Khumbu Glacier
Kami and Ed pick their way through a labyrinth of ice and rock on the Khumbu Glacier
A fine view of Pumori from out on the glacier
The view from the far side moraine, looking to the trail up Kongma La
At the base of the trail to Kongma La, looking back to the moraine, with Lobuje East far left and Pumori far right
A view back to Lobuje as we ascend towards Kongma La
Getting higher - here at about 5,300m
A world of rock and heavy breathing
Taking a breather at about 5,400m - with Lobuje East at top right
At about 5,500m, on the final section of the trail to Kongma La. The summit of Pokhalde (5,806m) is above the ice field at far right
View east from Kongma La (5,535m). From left - Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8, 501m), Makalu (8,485m), Kali Himal (7,057m) and Ama Dablam (6,856m)
Looking across the lake beneath the eastern side of Kongma La. Our camp site is at about 5,450m, a little beyond the far shore in the centre of the picture
A view northwest, from Kongma La
The view back to Lobuje, from Kongma La
Pondering Pokhalde (centre) from Kongma La (Photo Ed Laurenson)
The view back to Lobuje, from Kongma La
Looking south to Pokhalde (5,806m), from Kongma La
Descending to our campsite from Kongma La
Descending to our campsite from Kongma La
Descending to our campsite from Kongma La
Descending to our campsite from Kongma La, with Makalu overhead
Makalu (8,485m) and Imja Tse (6,189m) in the foreground, viewed from Kongma La
The lake on the eastern side of Kongma La. Behind, from left, Pokhalde (5,806m), Kongma La (5,535m) and Kongma Tse (5,813m)
Our camp site at 5,450m, with Makalu (8,485m) behind
Our camp site at 5,450m, with Pokhalde (5,806m) behind
Our camp site at 5,450m, with Nuptse (7,861m) behind
Kami and Chhongbi, keeping warm in the cook's tent
A spot of Dumble before dinner
Makalu (8,485m, centre), with Imja Tse (6,189m) beneath and in front of it
Makalu and Imja Tse, at sunset  > Climbing Pokhalde

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