REST DAY! Today Wongchu gave us a break. Normal wake up tea is at 6:30 Am, and breakfast is at 7:30. Today wake up tea was at 7:00 AM and breakfast was at 7:30. All kidding aside, the pace today was relaxed on our almost 2000ft acclimatization day hike.  We woke to clear skies and magnificent views from our Himalayan hotel in Pheriche. Every hill we crest opens to more spectacular scenery than before. It’s truly hard to keep taking pictures because it’s so beautiful it doesn’t completely translate in the photo. We hiked toward Dingboche where we could see the valley in Dingboche that used to be Yak farms. Now, mostly tourism.

We rested at a knoll at about 15,000 ft toward Pokalde Hill. There we had an option to climb higher or climb down. The group that climbed higher stopped at about 15,770 feet. Wongchu said it was too windy to continue. We descended to lunch and lectures.

We are so fortunate to have such a great group with Wongchu at the help. Our Porters are kind and attentive. We also had a guest from the summit attempt group who joined our day hike today and will be accompanying the camp 2 group. Shobita had been almost to Camp 1 and decided to descend.  Tomorrow one of the doctors from the Himilayan Recue Association (Dr. Rachel Tullet from New Zealand) in Pheriche will be joining our trek to base camp.

Our group returned from the hike had lunch and attended an acclimatization lecture from Rachel. Nima the rescued “PUP sicle” joined the lecture also. She was found almost frozen and has been nursed to health by the clinic. Rachel and Dr. Maria Nemethy gave case presentations to our group from 5-6:30.

The Himilayan Rescue Association does an awesome job at a minimal fee, taking care of trekking patients for $50.00 and Local Nepali for 50 Rupees. A great place to consider donations!! 
A magnificent day!!!!
Billy Martin