Gokyo - Gokyo
4800m (15748ft)
An early morning walk (6.00) up and onto and along the moraine wall with Brandi bum sliding her way off, followed by breakfast and a walk up to the 5th lake chased by the now expected afternoon snow storm.
Talked to American (Taj) ex Golden Bay and home for late lunch + snoozing and reading
The Road Less Traveled
Wandering down valley we both looked at and ignored a goat track leading to the moraine wall. I was expecting the normal road sign but no. At the end of the first lake the valley drops away and we stop to check the m ap which shows the route going across from the 1st lake -> so up onto the moraine wall we go - more cairns but not well used. A yak track leads down onto the glacier edge and we head left knowing eventually we would cut the track (this would never have happened as it was 2kms or more upstream) - but a faint track leads us into the mess of a rock covered lower glacier.
Subsequent picture inspection shows that we are in the ‘lake area’ part the glacier but by following relatively recent footprints and the occasional cairn we navigate across - me dreading the blind route - closed out by a lake or glacial river.
4800m (15748ft)
An early morning walk (6.00) up and onto and along the moraine wall with Brandi bum sliding her way off, followed by breakfast and a walk up to the 5th lake chased by the now expected afternoon snow storm.
Talked to American (Taj) ex Golden Bay and home for late lunch + snoozing and reading
The Road Less Traveled
Wandering down valley we both looked at and ignored a goat track leading to the moraine wall. I was expecting the normal road sign but no. At the end of the first lake the valley drops away and we stop to check the m ap which shows the route going across from the 1st lake -> so up onto the moraine wall we go - more cairns but not well used. A yak track leads down onto the glacier edge and we head left knowing eventually we would cut the track (this would never have happened as it was 2kms or more upstream) - but a faint track leads us into the mess of a rock covered lower glacier.
Subsequent picture inspection shows that we are in the ‘lake area’ part the glacier but by following relatively recent footprints and the occasional cairn we navigate across - me dreading the blind route - closed out by a lake or glacial river.
Eventually of course it happens - the route leads to a 1 metre gap - a
lake outlet river flowing into another lake. The jump over the gap is
to a hand sized toe hold that was intimidating but actually possible of
course even with pack on. The packs get thrown - committing us and sop
across I jump - Brandi say ‘landing like a spider man on the rock.
I stretch back for Brandi - hesitation - ‘come on darling, it’s easy - with tears in her eyes - jump babe. ‘ She does and of course it’s easy
“….easy for Geoff the webbed man……”
Packs on and cairns to follow - hoping for no more lakes to cross - but any glacier crossing is problematic - finding a way, following cairns across a surprising sand desert - the moraine wall looms and it’s easy - finally 3 hrs later the KT lodge. VISA accepted and room available. That will be 10,000 rupees please he smiles.
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