Peaceful Pangboche

After another hearty breakie of my go-to meal, muesli with apples and milk plus two hard-boiled eggs, it was time to say goodbye to Namche and embark on the trail to Pangboche. The start of our route gave the illusion that it was going to be an easy day of gliding along a well-defined trail, leaving behind the cobblestone stairways and enjoying good old-fashioned dirt pathways. Even the rain decided to give us a break! We began by working our way down to the Dudh Koshi River, passing by the first of many Buddhist stupas.

I experienced such nostalgia around every corner and even had the special treat of seeing the sweet Tashi Sherpa! I had the honor of meeting this amazing woman on my last trip, thanks to my guide, Charley Mace. She is a restaurant owner in one of the small villages along the trail. Several years ago, her restaurant had tragically burned down. What a surprise to see that she not only rebuilt but was there, per usual, with a smile on her face, running the show. There was no time for tea, but I hope to make a longer stop to visit her on the return.

Once we reached the river and had lunch, we were “blessed” with two things: the rain and the uphill slog along the never-ending stairs to the village of Tengboche. My full belly, while giving energy, also felt like I was carrying rocks along with my overfilled daypack. We did not get to pause at the famous Tengboche Monastery, but its presence fills you with peaceful energy as you walk by. It is also nice to have a break after passing by and return to a gradual downhill course. The final ascent into Pangboche gets your heart rate back up but rewards you with an up-close view of our goal: Ama Dablam (Mother’s Necklace).

The higher we go, the more challenging it is to find a strong WiFi signal. My plan is to make the next post from Dingboche, but that will depend on many factors. Be sure to keep an eye on the Summit Climb daily posts that I mentioned earlier.

And, of course, the dance will continue from higher ground! Even if the WiFi does not!