Best Place to 'Get Your Altitude On....'

Gokyo Ri, Nepal

Pressing headache, nausea, and flu-like fatigue. This is altitude sickness and it's a sheer pleasure. And to make things more fun, the medicine we take for altitude sickness has side effects that mimic the symptoms of....you guessed it....altitude sickness. Clever :)!

We're entering our final push to Gokyo Ri, following a trail that will lead to spectacular views of Mt. Everest from an altitude of near 18,000 feet.  (That's about the same altitude as Everest Base Camp).

......but we have to get there first.....

We're just 15 minutes out of the last camp at Macchermo, and some of us are totally unable proceed. Several hours of rest, and then we finally plod on - rest 5 minutes, walk 5, rest 5, walk 5. It's unbelievably slow going but we make it ---- all to the cheerful calls out encouragement from our guide, as he points out spots where hikers have been evacuated over the years. Thanks, Sanjay!

The reward is, however, great. A series of crystal turquoise lakes, carved valleys lined with ice, a surround of abrupt jagged mountains, and a profile view of Mt. Everest.

For the difficulty of getting there, it's all the more beautiful and satisfying. And for it's amazing views, Gokyo Ri wins 'Best Place to Get Your Altitude On...'

We spent nearly two weeks hiking in the Everest region. See below for a map of the Gokyo Ri trail.

Pictured below:  Money shot of Mt Everest and I.The path we took to Gokyo Ri.