Maximum Altitude: 4,840m
Breakfast was a reasonable 8am but we had to have bags packed by 7:30am so the porters could get away, quite why they need to leave so early is beyond me, but I suppose it guarantees they get to the destination before us. We waited for Ken's helicopter to whisk him to Kathmandu Hospital, then set off for Lobuche in a sombre mood.
On the trek I felt really tired, even on the gentle inclines my chest and legs hurt. I decided today would be a very easy day in an effort to conserve energy and give my legs some recovery times. Actually I wasn't the slowest by far, it was obvious that several people were feeling the effects of yesterdays' epic. Quite how we'll be feeling in a few days time when we've done two more Peaks and another Pass with no more rest days is anyone's guess.
Our quiet track met up with the main EBC trail and we soon noticed a huge upturn in the number of people walking in both directions. Lobuche soon appears on the trail and our Lodge soon located. Lunch was our old favourite of rice and potatoes. I managed about half before giving up. I still have a Snickers bar so may have that with coffee or something later.
Having unpacked my bag, I tried for a shower but they are too busy to sort it and suggested I went back later - I think it might be a bucket on the roof type shower. I decided on a cold water wash and wet wipe. I'm not sure how many people stay at this Lodge but the hygiene provision is clearly well down on the list. We have two toilets and one sink between fifteen people and there is just one shower for the entire lodge.
I'm not sure if it's because I'm having such bad nights sleep or whether I'm not acclimatising well but even simple things like walking upstairs seems hard work. Oh well, we'll see tomorrow; we are trekking to Gorakshep then on to EBC which will be a test.
My cold is getting no better. By 7:30pm I was ready for bed. Dinner had been served at 6pm which was very spicy soup and pizza (mushroom and cheese) and actually quite nice, although I struggled to finish it - others gave up as well. I also had a bottle of Sprite - my first fizzy drink on the trip.
I was in bed by 8pm, in the bag this time as the quilt would not have kept me warm, it was far too thin. I slept well for about five hours then woke. I planned to test a theory so went to the toilet even though I didn't really need to. I couldn't get off to sleep for ages and woke again and repeated the above, all to no avail - that theory failed! I guess I must have slept as I woke around 6am and had obviously been sleeping. My nose was well blocked with my cold which of course is not helping.
