Everest Base Camp

Everest.

I can't believe how many books I've read about it, or films I've watched. It's been a life long ambition to be able to stand at Everest Base Camp (EBC from now on), and look up at one of the greatest mountains on our planet.

I think it would be fair to say that the day didn't really start off that well. We'd been told to be ready for 9am, but there was a serious delay due to permit issues, and it was almost 1pm when we got on the road. But I did get a chance to wander around Shigatse old town which was pretty good.

Here are some pics:

Shigatse:











The day was fairly frustrating. Had we been given three or four small pieces of information it would have made it all a lot less stressful - but the scenery...what can I say...it made it worth the pain.

The entry into the Everest National Park:



The view on the way:





Not much grows at this altitude - but this does:



EBC is just around the corner - as we approached this amazing blue patch of light appeared covering Everest:





Tibet is an amazing place. So big, empty, and beautiful. I've never been anywhere like it.

It was almost 10pm when we finally pulled into the tourist bit of EBC. There's a village of tents in which you stay, and inside each tent is a stove in the middle, and sofa's around the side. At night you sleep on the sofas and there are loads of blankets. The woman who runs the place even tucked us all in.

Before bed we got some incredible views of Everest in the almost full moon. It was magical.

Me...at EBC:



Group shot:



Inside the tent at EBC:



This picture was taken at 10:30pm with a nearly full moon. The aperture was open for 15 seconds while the camera was standing on a rock. You can just make out the stars:



Another long exposure shot - but this time a close up:



It was really cold, and I hardly slept (more to do with a lack of oxygen than the cold), and in the middle of the night I got up to go to the toilet, and would have to say – standing there looking up at Everest – well – it was a real experience.

The next day we got up really early to watch the sunrise, and then walked up to the real EBC at 5200 meters – which is the highest I've ever been. There wasn't much at EBC – as the climbing season is over. But Everest was totally unobscured – and what a view.

The sun rising at EBC:







Yaks at EBC:



The view from EBC:









We did try and sneak past this:



But the guard wouldn't let us.

Cloud rolling in over Everest:



The tourist bit of EBC:



View down the valley:



On a side note – you wouldn't believe how much mindless bureaucracy there is to get to EBC. You need a permit just to set off, and then have to have your passport checked five times, and have to keep presenting your ticket. It's all very controlled and seems rather silly. But that's China I guess. We even got told off for saying the name of a certain person who isn't allowed to come back to his home land.

I can't put into words how the last two days have been. We were so lucky to get such incredible views of Everest – the day we arrived people had been there for a few days and seen nothing. To see it in the moonlight and again during the day was awe inspiring.

There aren't any words to describe it...