Distance Travelled for the Day – Est Steps: 30,649 Distance: 23km
Khumjung (elev. 3790m} Oxygen Content -13% / 21%
The trek into Khumjung was one of the longest days with the hike varying between steep downhill climbs to equally step ascents continuing throughout the day.
The bridges along the path have some level of maintenance and get used fairly heavily by livestock, local and trekkers alike. This photo shows how some plywood is used to patch some of the bridges along way.
The signs along the path tell you the time not the distance to the next town or significant point. Don’t get excited when you see signs along the way saying 20 mins to somewhere. These seemed to be measured by super sherpa hiking speeds which are far great then the average sea level, flat land dwelling mortal.
The trail from Pheriche to Khumjung was one of the busiest trails we encountered along the trek. It may have been just timing as we were starting to enter the peak tourist season, however there are a large number of porters on the track carrying supplies for both food and construction. These porters carry up to around 75kg each up the mountains and are paid between $1 and $2 per kg. The also travel at great speeds along the tracks. It is best to pay attention and let them go through as soon as you can.
As winter approaches the locals start to prepare this includes a few activities one of which is preparing fuel for the stoves that both heat the house and they cook with. The fuel of choice is dried yak patties. You’ll see field, fences and rocks used to accomplish this task.
The other is drying potatoes, potatoes are grown all through the mountains and form part of the local staple diet. They take the potatoes and grind them into small pieces. Then dry them in the sun, then store them for use in stews etc in the winter.
Khumjung is the largest of the rural villages we have visited so far on the trek. Each house appearing to have it’s own farm attached that grows vegetables for the household.
Lots of children play in the streets and look pleased to see trekkers coming through, getting many of us to join in and play games with them.
Some of the young kids run the small yaks up the street emulating the so common site of Yak herders on the trails.
