We checked out of our hotel in Deboche and began the trek to Dingboche under a brilliantly clear sky. The views were spectacular—50 miles of uninterrupted line-of-sight to Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and more.
The trail was alive with energy—hundreds of trekkers, porters, locals, mules, and zāos (yak hybrids). We crossed the dudh kosi River for the last time, the river begins at Everest Base Camp at the base of the infamous Khumbu Icefall—one of the first major challenges on the climb.
Ama Dablam stole the show today. Often called the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas,” it was simply breathtaking. We stopped for lunch in Khumjung—vegetable curry—and chatted with a family of four from the Netherlands. Their 9- and 10-year-olds trekking through the Himalayas? Inspiring.
As clouds rolled in, we crossed a broad plateau where the Khumbu and Tsola rivers split before joining to form the Dudh Koshi River, which flows all the way to Namche. After 6.3 miles and a 2,500-foot ascent, we arrived in Dingboche at 14,226 ft. Two nights here to acclimatize before heading to Lobuche—the final village before Base Camp.
Today we trekked for Hopecam child Alison. Alison's favorite way to use her Hopecam tablet is by playing learning games and watching videos that make her laugh. Hopecam helps Alison the most during her chemotherapy treatments by keeping her calm.
Meet Hopecam Child Alison
Yak Traffic