Nepal 2019 - Day 4 - Jumbesi to Kharikola Pt 1

 Jumbesi to Kharikola

I was very excited to finally have company on the trail. One doesn't realise the importance of company unless you're really put through your paces in unfamiliar territory. We started around 07.30 hoping to make it to Kharikola by around evening. The possible first sighting of Everest was very motivating and inspired us to forget about the hangovers from the previous night. The aim was to reach the Everest View Lodge before the clouds rolled in which usually happened around noon and after. Breakfast was short and quick and the lodge owner also provided us with some refreshments for the day.


The trail was beautiful with meadows, green forests and some magnificent views of the valleys. Thankfully, it was all downhill which made me temporarily forget about my knee issue. After about 2 hours, we reached the lodge, very excited. Maybe, I had some different expectations but all we saw, was a small tip of the highest mountain in the world. For me, it was an underwhelming moment but on the flipside, I was also excited at the prospect of getting better views as we made further progress on the route. For the first time, I also had someone to take some of my pics other than the stupid selfies! :) We did our photo-ops, had some tea and enjoyed the company of the tea stall owner who was running the place for over 40 years! We were joined by her young grandson who couldn't let figuring out Jonah's dreadlocks. All our time there, he had a perplexed look on his face trying to figure out the combing process. He borrowed his Grandma's phone and took selfies with both of us. I obliged by taking my hat off to reveal the bald head I fashioned. Made a good contrast in the pic, I thought..LOL! 


From Phurtang, the trail descended for another 30 mins till we reached another hamlet called Salung. Gradually, the view extended and you get to see beautiful picturesque hillside villages surrounded by green gardens and soil terraces. You could also see Ringmo which was our lunch spot for the day. The descent continued until you reached another of those magnificent suspension bridges. 


 The suspension bridge was the start of a steep ascent which led to the start of another Pass, Trakshindo la. It wasn't as grand as the previous one and to be honest, had I not checked my map, I wouldn't have known it to be one. Post that, we reached Ringmo around noon. It was a very busy hamlet with trekkers converging from multiple trails for lunch. Met an elderly gentleman with his guide in the teahouse who were heading for Mera peak. He was 75(I hoped I was doing what he was at that age)!

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