October 4th
Well this was the day we were waiting for! After walking up and down and up and down with an elevation gain of 3,320 feet and a distance of somewhere near 20 miles, we were finally going to reach our destination - the Tengboche Monastery, a Buddhist monastery up at 12,700 feet, surrounded by the highest mountains in the world! Though our total elevation gain was 3,320 feet, given the amount of up and down hiked in the process it's hard to say how many thousands of feet of uphill we actually hiked.
The Tengboche Monastery is the main Bhuddist monastery in the Khumbu region and is situated on a ridge in the middle of a valley, surrounded by Mt. Everest, Lhostse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, Thamserku, and other tall mountains. More than 50 monks reside at Tengboche and being on the route to the Everest base camp, it is a must-see for all trekkers in the region.
After climbing up out of Namche, this is the view back down the Dudh Khosi valley.
The hillsides and ridges above Namche are covered with alpine wildflowers. Mandi, Gourav, and Bikas (one of our other Sherpas) are stopping to enjoy the view.
Looking the other way up the valley, the vista is impressive. Mt. Everest is just peeking over the ridge next to the clouds on the left. Ama Dablam (22,500 feet) is the mountain on the right. It is my favorite mountain with its impressive steepness. It is often compared to the Matterhorn, the main difference being that Ama Dablam is a full 10,000 feet higher!
The same vista, including a view of the steep valley that we are traversing.
For much of the hike to Tengboche, this is what the trail looks like - a narrow strip of dirt traversing across the steep ridge-side.
Enjoying a break along the way.
Look! There are boxes of Snickers headed up to Tengboche!
This guy behind me in the picture is not a zobkyo, he's a yak!
Yaks are much furrier than zobkyo and have horns that point up instead of forward. After Namche, yaks were used more than zobkyo for carrying supplies.
A long train of yaks on their way up. The flat ridge that is visible above and behind the ridge with the trail is our destination - Tengboche. If you click on the picture to view it full-size, you can make out some buildings near the saddle of the ridge.
Mandi taking a break on a newly-made rock bench.
The buffalo meat express!
The town of Khumjung. Years ago, Adina celebrated her 7th birthday here!
An older, traditional Sherpa house in the mountains.
Someone is practicing to become a porter!
Another older, traditional Sherpa house along the way.
After traversing along the ridge, we dropped down and crossed the Dudh Khosi at the town of Phunki Tenga.
Us at the Dudh Khosi crossing. Only one hill left to go and we'll be at Tengboche!
We made it! Here's Mandi inside the Tengboche monastery. All of the walls are intricately painted.
At the front of the monastery hall is a large statue of Buddha.
Monks robes are lined up on the cushions that they use for prayer and meditation.
A wood block instrument and some prayer scrolls.
Woo-hoo! We're here!
Mandi hanging out with one of the lions at the gate.
Myself hanging out with the same lion.
A giant prayer wheel near the gate.
There is a lot of tantric art at Tengboche.
Sometimes you have to deal with hazards on the way to the toilet.
A view of the whole monastery!
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