It was a difficult steep climb out before an even more difficult climb at altitude that had both Monika & self breathless when climbing the few steps in place !
It was also not an ideal path for the vertigo challenged with some narrow sections giving way to an unimpeded free fall of a few hundred feet in sections
Our slow rate did a least give us the opportunity to take in the magnificent clear scernery (so much for the predicted bad weather) with the 7,000 + metre Amadablam the proud star !
I'd finally reached a relief point and went to take out my video camera when in a panic I realized it was missing and likely somewhere back down the steep path we'd just climbed !
Racing back down out guide yelled out that Monika had incredibly found it lying on the side of the path having fallen out of my bag - i was about 5 seconds away from needing use of the Berwick Chase defribillator myself !
We descended down to Panbouche for lunch at 3900 metes missing a turn and doing some original trking through people's back yards much to their surprise !
Lunch in the sun was re-energising .. well at least until we were told we had another 3 and half hours to go !
Climbing took us through the 4,000 metre barrier and in to some open space with superb views of Lhotse & Nhoste.
Even flat walking was beginning to get tiring at this stage With Monika worryingly starting to get a headache !
We took our final climb of the day bringing us into the superbly located Dingbouche at just under 4,400 metres !
We were treated to a magnificent sunset over the mountains and a blast of chilling air which suggested tonight will be a full on layers experience in our down sleeping bag with tomorrow another acclimitisation day planned
We are now only 2 walking days away from our goal at Everest Base Camp and it isn't getting any easier !
Michael -
I had the trifecta of emotions today a) absolute awe at the Mtn Scenery b) absolute fatigue at climbing at altitude & c) absolute panic at the thought of having lost our video camera !
Experienced some late afternoon concern with Monika's headache getting worse but the good news is that she improved overnight
Monika -
I saved another insurance claim amazingly finding our camera trekking a few hundred meters behind Michael !
I don't believe in the description of Nepali flat with today's trek having some real difficult uphill sections !
Today's main threat though was being skewered by a descending yak that had slipped as I was coming up a path !
On the positive side I did overtake a large group of trekkers ascending a steep path - a first for me on trip !
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