KALAK PATAR – EVEREST BASE CAMP
Kalak Patar is a relatively minor peak (5550m) which rises steeply above the tiny trekker’s village of Gorak Shep, a few kilometres short of Everest Base camp. From here, one can witness some of the best views in the Himalaya. I climbed up there twice, one afternoon and early one morning so fantastic is it.
Mt Everest, a blue triangle looming large behind the other peaks
The great Khumbu Glacier carving its way through the valley. The tall pointy peak on the skyline is Ama Dablam
The way up
Everest Base Camp is easily the most popular trek in Nepal though the goal itself is often a disappointment to people. In fact the camp as such only exists during the short climbing seasons in spring and Autumn so most of the time there is just an empty glacier where the tents would be. Even in climbing season, visiting trekkers are most unwelcome in the climbing camp as they often bring in unwanted infections so a modest cairn of rocks on which people add their own autographed stone is the only real landmark. Mt Everest is also not to be seen from base camp itself as it is hidden by the nearby Nuptse and the steep ridges heading up toward the mountain.
Having said all this, I found it to be a remarkable place. I love glaciers for their wild unpredictable ever changing beauty and to be walking around on top of it in such incredible landscape was a wonderful experience.
Khumbu glacier en route to Base Camp
The only glimpse of Everest summit from near Base Camp
Everest Baths
Base Camp!