Day 7 was another rest day, as having reached an altitude of 4400m, we had ascended 1000m in less than two days. Still shell-shocked from the sunset of the previous evening on the ridge, I got up extra early to attend sunrise from the same position. Unfortunately, the clear weather made for less interesting cloud patterns, but seeing the early light slowly illuminate the huge south face of Lhotse was a magic experience. After breakfast, I went on a small hike on my own, trying to reach some lakes below the north face of Ama Dablam, on the other side of the valley, but not managing to find the only bridge across the river and unwilling to try and ford it, I renounced in shame after an hour and, for the third time, went back up the ridge, climbing it to its highest easy point. By the time I reached it, altitude was starting to really take its toll and I headed down after a quick nap. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, reading and playing cards with the others. We all knew that the next day, we would move into Pokalde Base Camp and finally start getting ready to climb!


Wind on the south face of Lhotse at sunrise, Khumbu, Nepal.

Wind on the south face of Lhotse at sunrise.

The east face of Taboche, Khumbu, Nepal.

The east face of Taboche.

Prayer flags in front of Lhotse on the ridge above Dingboche, Khumbu, Nepal.

Prayer flags in front of Lhotse on the ridge above Dingboche.

Rachel was the only other to get up early for sunrise in Dingboche. In the background, the north face of Ama Dablam. Khumbu, Nepal.

Rachel was the only other to get up early for sunrise in Dingboche. In the background, the north face of Ama Dablam.

This woman was making a (magnificent) oil painting of Taboche during sunrise. Khumbu, Nepal.

This woman was making a (magnificent) oil painting of Taboche during sunrise.

A couple enjoying sunrise on Lhotse, Khumbu, Nepal.

A couple enjoying sunrise on Lhotse.

The Imja valley, showing Dingboche in the valley, Island Peak (also known as Imja Tse) and the south face of Lhotse, Khumbu, Nepal.

The Imja valley, showing Dingboche in the valley, Island Peak (also known as Imja Tse) and the south face of Lhotse.

Coming back up the ridge later in the day, with a porter team resting at the high point. In the background, Taboche was getting engulfed in afternoon clouds. Khumbu, Nepal.

Coming back up the ridge later in the day, with a porter team resting at the high point. In the background, Taboche was getting engulfed in afternoon clouds.

Island Peak from Dingboche. The summit ridge is visible, but the normal climbing route goes around the back. Khumbu, Nepal.

Island Peak from Dingboche. The summit ridge is visible, but the normal climbing route goes around the back.

A prayer mast was marking the highest reachable point on the ridge above Dingboche. Going any higher would require scrambling/easy climbing, and I was feeling the effects of the altitude by then. Khumbu, Nepal.

A prayer mast was marking the highest reachable point on the ridge above Dingboche. Going any higher would require scrambling/easy climbing, and I was feeling the effects of the altitude by then.

The south face of Cholatse in rising mist, as the day progressed. Khumbu, Nepal.

The south face of Cholatse in rising mist, as the day progressed.