On the outskirts of Monjo we entered the Khumbu National Park and crossed the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi on a high suspension bridge with the river rushing below. The river has glacier flour in it so is a beautiful shade of blue. The granite walls are steep with waterfalls plummeting from 100s of meters above. As you walk yak trains come past with their bells jingling and the porters with impossibly large loads stagger by. We climbed steeply for about three hours up ‘Namche Hill’ to reach Namche Bazaar at 11,155 ft. Namanche is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Many Tibetens cross the nearby border to trade their wares and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. Across the valley to the east are the peaks of Thamseku and Kangtega.

We purchased team hats different animals mine is a angry looking macaroni penguin we got lots of laughs from the happy sherpa people walking around as a team of 10 in town. We had cakes at the bakery which were quite tasty I am taking advantage of not losing my appetite yet. This type of teahouse mountaineering is quite luxurious.

One of our sherpa guides is Dorge he has climbed everest 9 times. The past 4 years twice a week and is very well respected in the area at the age of 26. He started as a porter at the age of 15. What an interesting person to talk to. This country is stunning it is like Yosemite but then covered in prayer flags, prayer wheels and sherpa villages.