Kongma La is the easternmost pass of Nepal's Three Passes Trek and is generally considered to be the most difficult of the three (but don't let the word difficult scare you). The Three Passes is commonly hiked in a counter-clockwise direction (although it can be hiked clockwise as well) which
Three Passes Trek Day 12: Renjo La (Gokyo to Thame)
This morning I am happy to find that the clouds responsible for last night's snow have vacated the area and left blue skies in their wake. Despite my originally wanting to put food into my mouth hole at 6:00 this morning (and then compromising for 6:30), nothing emerges from the kitchen until
Three Passes Trek Day 11: Dragnag to Gokyo
I wake up and head to the common area for breakfast where I find the lodge-keep asleep behind the bar. It's already eight o'clock, late for the Himalaya, and whilst standing and deliberating whether I'm going to rouse the sleeping sherpa, he gets up on his own. A few groggy moments later and he's
Three Passes Trek Day 10: Cho La (Dzongla to Dragnag)
Cho La Pass, today's objective, has been built up in my mind as a dangerous and monstrous obstacle - one that should only be attempted in the best of conditions and under proper supervision. Thankfully, I wake up to another day of clear skies because I will be doing this pass on my own (and with my
Three Passes Trek Day 9: Lobuche to Dzongla
Last night I ordered the vegetable chow mein for breakfast and the chef didn't approve (apparently it's not breakfasty enough a dish to warrant early-morning cooking). Fortunately, he comes around and I have a mediocre vegetable chow mein waiting for me at seven o'clock when I meet my crew in the
A Beginner’s Guide To Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp trek is considered to be one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth. It takes trekkers up through the valleys of Sagarmatha National Park and to the base of the tallest mountain on Earth. Filled with a long history, fascinating culture, and incredible people, this trip is
Nepal Three Passes Trek Gear List
Using all I learned last year on my first journey to the Himalaya and up to Everest Base Camp, I have carefully crafted the following gear list detailing everything to go with me on my attempt at completing Nepal's Three Passes Trek. Much of what's coming with me this time around is the gear that
Nepal Three Passes Trek
My departure from Nepal last January was a very sad time. I was a kid taken to the most miraculous, jaw-dropping theme park imaginable and told, "You have five minutes to enjoy yourself here before we need to leave and go home." For those five minutes things were awesome, but as soon as they
Everest Base Camp Day 7: Chukhung to Dughla
Starting elevation: 15,518 ft / 4,730 m Ending elevation: 15,157 ft / 4,620 m Elevation change: -361 ft / -110 m Starting oxygen: 57% of sea level Ending oxygen: 58% of sea level Distance covered: 6.9 mi / 11.1 km Time hiked: 3h 30m Sharing a room with Franklin from Brooklyn may have been