An impromptu Greek dancing lesson during a picnic on Akramitis Mountain. This was when the music really picks up the pace!
Wildebeest Migration
If you’ve never experienced the great migration of wildebeest and zebra in Africa, you need to put it on your bucket list.
Gorakshep heli
Jumping on a heli at 17,000 feet while it stops for all of 60 seconds is a thrill, to say the least. The ensuing ride down the Khumbu valley, with the world’s tallest snow-capped peaks around you is an incredible adventure.
I’m going back…who wants to go?
Yet another yak video
I just don’t feel right unless I post a yak video every day…
On the trail to EBC
Nice views about an hour from EBC
Everest Base Camp
My view as I have a snack at EBC
A other yak video
In the last few days I’ve seen more than my share of yaks. In fact I now consider myself something of a yak connoisseur. For example, did you know that only the bull males are called “Yaks”. The females are called “Naks”. The males are the ones you see out on the trails, working hard hauling heavy loads through the mountains. Meanwhile, the Naks never work, they stay home and lay around all day, maybe give a little milk once in a while. They do nothing. Sounds very similar to human society. 😅 I’m sure my wife will post that she agrees with me, as soon as she gets off work.
Yak
I’m fascinated by yaks! Now that we’re in the higher elevations, yaks are the preferred pack animals. They’re also milked to make butter and their hair can be woven. But since the Buddhists consider the entire upper Khumbu valley to be sacred, nothing can be killed here. That includes chickens, pigs, and of course, yaks. You see them all over as you’re hiking.
Ama Dablam base camp
Here’s a peak at what a Himalayan mountain climbers base camp looks like.
Himalaya Video
Here’s a short, very amateur video I took from a spectacular viewpoint on today’s trek. I have my guide Nutan naming the mountains but you can hardly hear us because of the wind noise. In reality there was very little wind, we didn’t even notice it but it was apparently hitting the iphone just right. The mountains you will see are some of the highest and most famous in the world…Tabouche, Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Khangtega, and Thamserku.
Mule Train
Ok I know I’m posting a lot of pack animal videos, but I’m fascinated by them. Between the mules and the djoko (half yak/half cow) they are the principal means of resupply for hundreds of Himalayan communities. And they’ve been doing this critical function since the 15th century.
Close Encounter of the Djoko Kind
You encounter quite a few mule trains and djoko (half yak/half cow) trains, sometimes loaded with freight, and sometimes carrying nothing as they head back down the valley. This meeting was easy, they had no freight.
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