Day 8: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp to Gorak Shep

Distance Travelled for the Day – Est Steps: 17,355 Distance: 13km

Everest Base Camp (elev. 5364m} Oxygen Content -10.7% / 21%

Gorak Shep (elev. 5140m} Oxygen Content -10.9% / 21%

As we got up in the morning you could tell the group was excited as today was what we had come for, in a few short hours we’ll be sitting at Everest Base Camp.

Tony @ Trek to Basecamp
Tony @ Trek to Basecamp

Leaving Lobuche we headed out on narrow tracks that are at times a few feet wide and several hundred metres above the ground. At other times we were trekking in wide valleys.

Trek to Base Camp
Trek to Base Camp

Then there was a sign that we were heading in the right direction.

Sign to Everest Base Camp
Sign to Everest Base Camp

The vegetation at this time is sparse with the the trek into base camp becoming a challenge to rock hop amongst the many large rocks that form part of the trail.

Group Taking a Break
Group Taking a Break

Although very limited there are some beautiful flowers that line the path to base camp,

Flowers Along the Path to Basecamp
Flowers Along the Path to Basecamp
Flowers Along the Path to Basecamp
Flowers Along the Path to Basecamp

As well as the flowers, some birds and other other animals find refuge and live in the mountains.

Horse By Stream
Horse By Stream
Local Birds
Local Birds

We finally reach the area of the base camp.  We trek across the rocks towards the many many prayer flags that mark the spot.  Celebrations and screams fill the air as the group reaches the spot that marks where base camp is.  Some enjoy the moment a bit more then others.

Putting Up Prayer Flags at Everest Base Camp
Putting Up Prayer Flags at Everest Base Camp
Dara & Tony @ Basecamp - We Made It!
Dara & Tony @ Basecamp – We Made It!
Dara & Guides @ Basecamp
Dara & Guides @ Basecamp

The Everest base camp area is basically a big glacier mixed with rocks and a lot of dust.  The size of the glacier is impressive and hard to get the true perspective in film.

On The Glacier @ Base Camp
On The Glacier @ Base Camp
Glacier in the Valley
Glacier in the Valley

Large pools of water and ice are formed by melting ice in the warm autumn sun.

Ice Pools in the Glacier
Ice Pools in the Glacier
Floor - Glacier - Everest
Floor – Glacier – Everest

Once the celebrations are complete as well as all the photo taking we start to head towards Gorak Shep for the evening. Thinking about the 4am start to see the sun rise over Everest.

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