island peak | IAN CORLESS

“Coming back to Earth from the high peaks you can feel like a stranger. Bearing experiences that are beyond expression… And beyond price!”- taken from MOUNTAIN the movie

Just a few day’s have passed since I returned from Lukla, back to Kathmandu. My Nepal trek suddenly feels like a distant dream. As I have slowly worked through my images, I have found it difficult to grasp and come to terms with the journey undertaken.

I cannot find the words… I hope they will come? For now though, I have to let the images tell the story. I need to absorb the process and let my emotions come to terms with a dream fulfilled. Needless to say, this trek was beyond expectations.

What I can write, are the facts.

My plan was to undertake the Three High Passes – Renjo La (5360m), Cho La (5420m) and Kongma La (5545m) in the harder clockwise direction with the addition of a diversion to Gorak Shep to go to Kala Patthar (5545m) and Everest Base Camp (5364m). Finally, I would conclude the trip with Ama Dablam Base Camp (4800m) before returning to Namche Bazaar and onward to Lukla.

Typically, the Three High Pass trek takes 21+ days without including Kala Patthar, EBC or Ama Dablam.

I took one day from Lukla to Namche and on my return, I took another single day to return from Namche to Lukla.

I had one day in Namche for acclimation.

I completed the High Pass Trek with additions in 7-days – I am truly thankful to Sherpa Kaji for his incredible guidance and experience on the trails! Pasang Sherpa for his knowledge and continuing support with all logistics.

You can view my GPS inReach track

My itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 – flight to Lukla, trek to Namche.
Day 2 – Namche acclimate day.
Day 3 – Namche to Lumde
Day 4 – Lumde to Gokyo via Renjo La Pass
Day 5 – Gokyo to Dzongla via Cho La Pass
Day 6 – Dzongla to Gorak Shep and an out and back to Kala Patthar
Day 7 – Gorak Shep to EBC and and back and then onward to Lobuche
Day 8 – Lobuche to Pangboche via Kongma La Pass
Day 9 – Pangboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp and back and then onward to Namche
Day 10 – Namche to Lukla