Today's challenge was not too difficult, to get down to Dole which was well on the way back to Namche. Gokio had 5 lakes so we set off before breakfast to find lake 4. It was an easy 2 hour return stroll and the lake was unimpressive. Breakfast was more naan and tea. We asked Bom if we could go over the other pass from Gokio, a longer and more challenging way of getting to Namche, but we didn't have time and the weather by this stage was driving snow. We said goo...

A stunning start to the day meant we should take the opportunity to get up Gokio Ri before the clouds came in. This usually happened around 11am so early starts in these mountains are essential. The lake looked amazing this morning. It was a very cold, clear and frosty morning as we headed out our guesthouse, across the small river which fed the lake and onto Gokio Ri itself. There were two routes, one that looked very steep that pointed directly up, and another,...

I woke around 4:30 for the first weather check. Cloud, mist and no visibility. The pass was looking unlikely. No one else was up and I was starting to think that we would be following everyone else back down the valley towards Namche. We hung around for a while and eventually, other started to rise and congregate out the front of he guesthouse, praying for better weather. We had breakfast and a tea - usual protocol and packed out gear up. We told Bom that we woul...

After the elation of successfully making it to base camp, many would think that rest and recuperation would be in order. When we were discussing our trip with the tour company, the manager showed us pictures of the Gokio lakes and the Cho La pass and it looked incredible. It was an additional 3-4 days and could only be completed if the weather was good. We had decided to go for it whilst in Kathmandu. We were told that the pass was challenging and that in the sno...

The day started with a gentle climb through the valley and the sun was shining. The gradual accent quickly became boulder climbing as we pushed on higher to the 5400m of base camp. Helen was powering ahead this morning but for me and most others it was one foot at a time and regular stops to catch breath. You fight for breath at some stages and the recommended 'slow and steady' is by far the best policy. A steady rhythm of plodding and regulating your breathing g...