EPIC BLOG

Epic Everest Update #8

Dingboche to Lobuche, 23 April

Apr 24 2014 Written by:Brad Horn


23 April: Today we moved from Dingboche to Lobuche. We took a circuitous route to try and get some extra altitude and miles under our legs. We headed up the Chukhung Valley from Dingboche before cutting left to negotiate the Kongma La pass at 5,500 metres. The going was pretty tough in places, with a lot of loose rock. All up we gained in altitude 1200 metres. Coming down from the pass we had to cross the Khumbu Glacier. The Khumbu Glacier is not what you would picture as your typical glacier of exposed ice, rather it is covered in moraine, pushing the earth up before it.

There seems to be quite a few climb teams heading off the mountain in light of the recent tragedy. Apparently, around 20 teams have left Base Camp because of the instability of the Khumbu Icefall. Further, the Sherpas are rightfully concerned about safety and reluctant to cross the ice flow. I guess we will know more once we reach Base Camp in two days time.