Today we left Phakding for Namche Bazaar. We expected to take about six to seven hours for the days trek. The actual trek took about five and one half hours. The elevation gain for the day was 2,700 feet. The first half of the hike was along the Dudhkoshi River. The trail crossed the river five times on suspension bridges, before starting the steep climb up to Namche Bazaar. The mountains were very similar to those along the John Muir Trail in California - very rocky with snow and ice on the upper peaks. A friend of mine that I hiked the John Muir Trail with had thought about coming on this trek. He has missed a great trip. The tiny villages along the trail add so much to the hike. We passed many rhododendrons blooming and much of the hike was through pine forests.