Acclimatisation

Today was one of those days that will stay with me for a long time.

We trekked from Namche to the Everest View Hotel and the views were almost unreal. Huge snow-covered peaks filled the skyline, with Everest sitting there in the distance exactly as I had imagined it for years.

Then the day took an unexpected turn. Japanese TV channel NHK are filming a documentary here and somehow we ended up with a full film crew following us on the hike. Slightly surreal, very funny, and definitely not something we expected when we set off this morning.

We also visited the Tenzing museum. Having recently watched the new film about Tenzing Norgay, standing beside his statue with Everest behind it felt genuinely special. It made the history of this place feel very real.

Later, at the monastery, we received a Buddhist blessing for a long and happy life and for safe passage through the high passes ahead. It felt like the right moment at the right time.

The day finished on the Namche helipad, watching the setting sun turn the snowy mountains deep red. One of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

Tomorrow we leave for Thame.

From there, things get harder. We will soon be above 4,000 metres, Wi-Fi will become scarce, and updates may be a few days apart.

The easy introduction is over. There’s also a storm that has been growing for the last week that looks like it will impact us on Friday. We are enjoying the trek and blue skies for now…