Day 14 - Ascent of Kala Pattar

Rob McCarthy
Oct 31, 1988
2 min read

We are all eager to get going on the climb of Kala Pattar this morning and head out shortly after breakfast. I set a steady pace, and I am able to climb all the way to the top without needing to stop; it takes roughly an hour, and I am one of the first to get to the top. Some of the others take an additional hour, or even longer. However, everyone makes it to the top.

The view of Everest is fantastic. At this point we are only 5 miles or so from the summit, which towers 2 miles above us. Most of my photos are taken with a wide-angle 28mm lens, as with a standard lens you cannot fit the mountain in. Kala Pattar has 2 summits of similar elevation (about 18,500 feet) with slightly different views of Everest. The closest one is the most visited, but the one a little farther away provides clear views of the South Col between Everest and Lhotse. We spend considerable time on both, taking up most of the morning taking photos and just soaking it all in. I break out my chocolate, that I have been saving for the occasion and give 1 square to each of the group, and having 2 for myself.

The summit of Everest is the only one that seems to be high enough to be poking up into the Jetstream, and a large snow plume is blowing from the summit at times. Although it is a beautiful day here, it would not be a good day for a climber to be heading for the summit.

As the morning wears on, other trekkers start to make it onto Kala Pattar, though it is never busy, and some cloud starts to form. After perhaps a 2 and a half hour stay on the summit, we start the descent back towards Gorak Shep. On the way down we pass other trekkers still laboring their way upwards, and even some that have given up their attempt to get to the top. By trying to climb Kala Pattar from much further away (Lobuch or Pheriche) they have risked not making it to the top, finding the mountain obscured by cloud, and due to exhaustion, putting themselves at greater risk of altitude sickness. I am glad I have come with a group that was prepared to spend extra days (and therefore extra money) to give the best chance of achieving all of the trek goals, as well as having the time to make it enjoyable rather than a toil.

We arrive back at camp for a late lunch and some relaxation. It has been a fantastic day.