Despite her despair Monika can take consolation in knowing that in reaching Gorakshep she had in fact reached the site of the original Everest Base Camp as established by Hillary and co in 1953 - a tremendous effort by her in trying conditions !
Plan B was put in place where Monika and our guide would descend to Thukla at 4,600 metres while I would head to Base Camp with our Porter SP then back track to catch up with Monika and Deepak.
With Monika heading down SP and self undertook the pretty tough (ascending through 5,400 metres) 2 hour trek to base camp from Gorakshep.
The final part was a descent thru a rock filled scree on a narrow path with falling rocks a real chance. We crossed a pock marked area of solid ice covered by dirt and rocks to reach the current base camp site right alongside the Khumbu Glacier !
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My thrill of reaching EBC was in part dulled by Monika's non presence.
After venturing out on to the glacier to view the amazing ice structures we retraced our steps back to Gorakshep for lunch before departing for Thukla 5 hours behind Monika and Deepak.
What a relief after so many days to be heading down. Despite the odd ice cold dust storm we finally reached Thukla just after 4 p.m. with the sun starting to disappear behind the nearby Mtns providing a wonderful sentinel for the memorials on top of the pass.
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Much to my relief we found Monika in a much better condition although disappointed, headache gone and her best appetite returned !
Michael -
The time spent at EBC was astonishing in terms of natural wonders and the nearby presence of the Everest climbing route. I'd completed my journey but for climbers this would be only just the start - amazing !
Monika -
What a relief to be coming down despite my obvious disappointment. I was happy to feel much better and also for Michael to have reached EBC
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