Day 18 - Dingboche to Tyangboche

This morning when we wake, everything is white due to snow that fell in the night, and we probably have 3 inches on the ground. I do not think it was expected, and though the sky seems to be clearing, there is a conference going on between Jacko and Nima.

We have breakfast as normal and as we finish Jacko tells us that they believe it would be advisable for us to descend a little further than originally planned today to reduce the risk of us being stranded by any further significant snow fall. The risk is greater at the higher altitude, so today we now plan to descend down to Tyangboche, some 2,000 feet lower than where we are now.

It certainly feels colder than the day we arrived at Dingboche, but the sun is still shining, and the depth of snow does not make walking difficult, so we make steady progress. WE stop for lunch at Pangboche, a similar size settlement to Dingboche, where we visit the local monastery to view the supposed yeti scalp they have on display. It is pretty dark inside, and difficult to make an opinion on whether the scalp is authentic or not. It looks like a large inverted hairy bowl.

We continue south to the busy site at Tyangboche, which is the home to the largest and main monastery in the area. It is bust here, with many trekkers feeling that it is a good place to see what the weather will do. The snow is partially melting here so the camp area is somewhat messy.

We do not get any more snow, and the weather remains mostly clear, but at night we can see lightning far to the north in the high peaks.

Elevation Profile

Descending from Dingboche

Still smiling despite the snow

Chorten near Pangboche