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| We're going through there? |
Today was both my most favourite and one of my least favourite days wrapped into one! It was definitely the most adventurous. We woke pretty early for breakfast before setting out into the mist for Chola Pass. There were plenty of nerves and also a lot of excitement about what the day would bring.
The first part of the day was all up. First up out of the clouds hanging around Thangnak, and then across some flat before heading up the pass. Once we got above the clouds the views were pretty cool with mountain peaks poking up, and we could see where we were headed - which looked like a massive mountain range with no path visible. Was pretty daunting, and we almost didn't believe the guides when they said that was where we were going!
I'm so pleased we bought the crampons back in Namche Bazaar as they were definitely needed. We put them on part way up the pass and they made it so much easier. There were lots of people going over the pass which was a bit unfortunate as it made it very busy. Many of them also didn't have crampons which made for very slow going up the multiple switchbacks, and quite dangerous for the ones coming the other way - some were sliding partly on their butts and I was so worried they would lose control and skittle the rest of our group below them!
At one stage Greg and I got sick of standing in the queue of people and so made a beeline up the side. It was great as it got us past all the people, but we hadn't factored in the altitude and were breathing pretty very hard after!
I have no idea how our porters managed it. Don't think they had crampons, and they were carrying much heavier loads than us. Very impressive!
The going up was super fun in the snow. It was hard work and tiring, but the adrenaline and the adventure made it enjoyable.
We had a quick break to eat our packed lunches at the top, then headed over and down the other side. Again, the going down was pretty fun, and I even found a great spot for a snow angel. However, once we got to the bottom there was a couple hours flat walk to Dzongla, which I found so HARD. I think a combination of the Chola Pass adrenaline wearing off, being very tired and still a little sick, and not having a decent lunch. Anyway, we finally made it to tiny Dzongla which was very basic and had just a couple little tea huts.
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| Early morning breakfast in the tea house |
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| Looking back to where we came from with mountains peeking up out of the mist |
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| Heading towards the pass |
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| And off into the mist we go! |
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| A couple of days ago we had a hilarious conversation with our guides regarding Snow Cocks, but sure enough they are real - here's proof! |
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| And we're up out of the mist! |
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| Spot the porters behind us carrying our big red bags |
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| Somewhere in all that apparently there is a path we're taking over the mountains... the Chola Pass |
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| In front of the Chola Pass |
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| Part way up the pass - so pleased to have the crampons on! |
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| Looking all the way back down into the mist where we started this morning |
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| Packed lunch - boiled eggs and chappati |
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| Prayer flags at the top of Chola Pass |
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| The way down - spot the little people coming down |
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| Crampons! |
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| Rush hour on Chola Pass |
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| We made it to the top! With our awesome trainer Mark from HealthFix |
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| Starting down the other side |
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| My snow angel |
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| Heading down |
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| Looking down the other side - our tea hut is way down there below the snow line - still a long way to go! |
Day 8 Hiking: Thangnak 4,700m over the Chola Pass 5,330m down to Dzongla 4,830m - an incredible day over a very snowy and high pass
Day 8 Accommodation: Hotel Mission Sherpa, another small and very basic tea hut
