Myths and legends

I think that Dingboche is the highest mountain village in Khumbu where people lived before the hordes of tourists appeared in these parts. It is located in a very picturesque place at an altitude of about 4700 meters at the foot of Ama Dablam. Here you can have a wonderful rest and acclimatize in front of the track to the Everest base camp or a more serious route.

You can go from Dingboche to Everest base camp and back in three days. Almost all the time you will have to go along the Khumbu glacier. The trail is simple, but sometimes not very convenient.

The most physically difficult part of this route is a small pass near the village of Lobuche. Immediately behind the pass there is something like a “memorial clearing”, on which the chortens with the names of climbers who died on Everest are scattered randomly. Many rocks around them also bear mourning tablets.

After the pass, the area of permafrost begins. There is almost no vegetation here. Only stunted grass, moss and lichens adorn the harsh landscape. In the course of the movement, an excellent view of the pyramidal peak of Pumori (translated from Nepalese as “unmarried daughter”) periodically opens, and sometimes the peak of Everest becomes visible.

After Lobuche to the base camp of Everest you will have to go along the glacial moraine at the edge of the huge Khumbu glacier, originating on the slopes of Everest. The glacier is mostly covered with stones. Blue ice is visible only in numerous cracks.

In my opinion, the base camp is not very interesting place. Well, if you, of course, do not plan to personally chat with climbers. The camp is clamped on all sides by mountain slopes, which block the most beautiful views of the peaks surrounding the camp. Therefore, it is quite possible to complete the route on the “shore” of a dried lake in the village of Gorak Shep (translated from Nepali as “dead raven”).

The village is located at an altitude of 5,120 meters above sea level at the foot of the small by local standards Mount Kala Pattar (5,626 m). Despite the harsh name, there are a living creatures near Gorak Shep. Near the loggias you can find mountain jackdaws, and something similar to partridges.

If you find yourself in these parts, I strongly recommend to gather your strength and climb to the top of Kala Pattar. Kala Pattar (translated from Nepalese as “black rock”) is not even an independent mountain, but part of the Pumori range, the fallen off piece of the crest of which has identified Kala Pattar as a separate structure.

There is a very good view of the peak of Everest from the top of Kala Pattar. And in general, the panorama from this point is really breathtaking. If you are choosing when to climb here - in the morning or in the evening - then ... a recommendation will not work. In the morning, the air is usually cleaner, there are few clouds and you can enjoy the views of the Himalayas without interference. But, unfortunately, in this place the sun rises from behind Everest, so the top of this mountain can be seen only later. In the evening, Everest appears before the gaze of a traveler in all its glory. The sunset colors it and the surrounding peaks with gold, providing a truly unforgettable sight.

You can return to Dingboche in a day along the same trail. Or you can take the more difficult route through the Kongma la pass (5,535 m) and the village of Chukkung. On the way you can run to the peak of Chukkung Ri (5,450 m), which offers an excellent panorama of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu and many other nearby peaks.

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