1. Nepal: Everest Basecamp Trek
Prayer flags and mountains above Machhermo

2. Our chopper to Lukla: After 3 days of flight cancellations we abandoned the fixed –wing option from Kathmandu

3. Lukla airstrip, arguably the most dangerous in the world

4. View along the Dudh Koshi south of Namche

5. A waterfall emptying into the Dudh Koshi South of Namche

6. The Manjo Khola, a tributary of the Dudh Koshi

7. Recycling Nepalese style

8. Bridges above the Dudh Koshi just below the Bhote Koshi junction

9. On the bridge across the Dudh Koshi South of Namche

10. View of the Bhote Koshi junction with the Dudh Koshi
View of the Bhote Koshi junction with the Dudh Koshi. Due to the flight delay, we did not ascend the Bhote Koshi valley.

11. The Sherpa capital of Namche Bazar in the clouds

12. Phortse

13. A Himalayan gentian, common in the subalpine ecosystem

14. Kyajo Ri from Machhermo

15. Machhermo with our campsite

16. Above Machhermo with Cho Oyu (8201m)
Above Machhermo with Cho Oyu (8201m). This massif dominates the northern skyline on the way to Gokyo

17. Yaks and Cholatse (6335m) from above Machhermo

18. Wild grouse near Gokyo

19. Morning light across Dudh Pokhari towards the Renjo La (right)

20. Gokyo and Dudh Pokhari with Cho Oyu

21. Gokyo and Lakes from Gokyo Ri

22. On Gokyo Ri (5357m) with Mt Everest backdrop

23. Everest and prayer flag from Gokyo Ri

24. The Cho La Pass (5368m) This climb was the crux of our trek

25. The final ascent up the Cho La

26. Atop the Cho La

27. Trekkers traversing the Cho La glacier

28. View towards Dzonglha with Ama Dablam in the distance

29. Ama Dablam at sunset with Yak ‘burgers’ drying

30. Ama Dablam (zoom) at sunset

31. Lake Chola Tsho

32. Ama Dablam (near peak) from South of Lobuche

33. Heading towards Gorak Shep

34. Phanden, our sirdar, has summited Everest six times

35. Our group at Everest Basecamp (5364m) with the Khumbu Icefall behind
Our group at Everest Basecamp (5364m) with the Khumbu Icefall behind. Everest is not quite visible here.

36. Nuptse (r, 7861m) with Everest in background (with Lenticulars)

37. Zoom shot of Everest summit

38. Kala Patthar (5540m) Remnants of Cyclone Phailin hit before we could climb to this spectacular viewpoint

39. Some took the quick way out of Gorak Shep as the weather deteriorated...

40. …while others were heading up

41. Hiking out near Lobuche in the snow

42. Our final view of Everest

43. A waterfall along the Imja Khola

44. Lukla airstrip in the morning as we await our Twin Otter flight in the departure lounge