Day 6: Deboche

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

We’ll continue on and climb to the village of Tangboche (12,683 ft./3,865 m), the cultural and religious center of the Khumbu. At the monastery we’ll attend Buddhist ceremonies and rituals performed by local monks. Vistas from Tangboche are spectacular. The jagged peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega stand to our south, as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam are visible to the north. The Monastery at Tangboche is one of the most well-known in the world, as the Rinpoche is revered throughout the Buddhist community, and has authored a number of books and essays. In the past our groups have had an audience with the Rinpoche and received his blessing.

Views from this locale (one of the finest on earth), include Kwangde (20,293 ft./6,185 m), Tawachee (21,457 ft./6,540 m), Nuptse (25,843 ft./7,876 m), Lhotse (27,883 ft./8498 m), Everest (29,029 ft./8,848 m), Ama Dablam (22,487 ft./6,854 m), Kantega (22,235 ft./6,777 m), Thamserku (21,674 ft./6,606 m).

Day 6 Namche 11,200 feet to Deboche 12,500 feet

We began our day with a delicious breakfast of eggs, pancakes, omelettes, and piping hot rich Himalayan coffee all dutifully brought to us by our always smiling guides Sheva, Man, and Lalit. DHANYABAAD! (Thank you!)

We huffed and puffed straight upward out of Namche Bazar and were immediately rewarded by more spectacular views of the Khumbu Valley. It was not long before we were greeted by a mamma and baby mountain goat, and soon thereafter the big Billy Goat Gruff appeared too, looking very quaffed (check out the pictures).

We all tapped our inner grit and determination to ascend some more. We discovered that the best stepping stones on the rocky and sometimes perilous trail nearly always were covered by a fresh Yak patty; a statistically impossible occurrence. We could only conclude that the Yaks are indeed deliberate and entertaining themselves on their long slogs. 

We descended to the fast flowing Dudh Kosi glacier fed river for lunch, followed by one more suspension bridge, which we all have superbly mastered. The trail mellowed and it was not long before we were back in the ethereal world of the Buddhist monks at the high altitude Tengboche Monastery surrounded by glistening peaks. The mournful sound of a young monk blowing a giant conch shell was yet another  treat. We have been immersed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it has made the long trek worth while.  

The camaraderie and friendship is growing rapidly, as are the scraggly gray beards, and we look forward to even higher altitudes and more mind blowing scenery tomorrow. Thanks to Nate for another memorable day!

-Jensie Teague

BEYOND