Sky Glow

The Solu Khumbu region of the Nepali Himalaya depicted in this story will likely be unfamiliar to the reader. I have included a detail map of the segment of the trek described in this story. A cursory Google search will be helpful in clarifying locational context should questions arise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solukhumbu_District

Trekking map of the Khumbu Himalaya region of Nepal

Detail of the segment depicted in Sky Glow. Red lines penciled in by myself. ” … with quivering hands pulled out my German, 2nd edition Geo-Buch, Khumbu Himal, detailed trekking map. Again, I followed the dotted lines across the page to Loboche. Inspecting the route toward Gorek Shep, I was dumbfounded to see that there weren’t any dots to delineate the way either.” Chapter 3

“Stooping down out of the turbulence in the refuge of the boulder, I lit up a bedis and unfolded my Nepali edition Mandala Trekking Map.” Chapter 3

Brochures from the ranger station at the checkpoint upon entering Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park

First leg of the trek in the Solu foothills

Sherpa women on the trail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherpa_people

Through the Solu foothills toward the Khumbu Range. “The ups and downs over the grueling passes during the past three weeks had been exceptionally demanding, especially on the account that I was schlepping all my gear.” Chapter 2

Sherpa school

First rice planting of spring

Sherpa lodge on the trail

Approaching the Khumbu Range

“The only large town in the entire Solu Khumbu is Namche Bazar. After eight strenuous days on the trail, I made it. I rested up for a few days over Easter before I headed up into the snow where the 8,000 meter peaks reside.” Chapter 2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namche_Bazaar

Khumbu Himalaya

Ama Dablam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ama_Dablam

“As with all the trails winding their way through the Solu foothills and into the Khumbu region, there were piles of cairn stones guiding the way. Wandering along, very alone, on these Himalayan trails, these heaped up stones are a solo trekker’s best friend.” Chapter 3

Gokyo Ri “Knowing this might be a once in a lifetime experience, I made side excursions to Gokyo Ri and Chukhung Ri.” Chapter 2

Chukhung Ri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukhung

Glacial moraine from Chukhung Ri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moraine

Making friends fast while snowed in for several days at Gokyo.

“Often, upon gaining a hard mountain pass, with only the sound of prayer flags fluttering in the wind, I’d stoop down and add another stone atop their jagged crown.” Chapter 3

“After a few days’ rest, I took off into the huge ice bowls within the high Khumbu Himalaya.” Chapter 2

Yak train on the trail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yak

“The day had begun with a clear blue sky but like most spring afternoons in the Nepali Himalaya, the cotton ball clouds had wafted up over the carved mountain passes and then down into the valleys, draping the landscape in their velvety alabaster robes.” Chapter 3

“The hoary sky had descended upon the massive boulders and shattered piles of rubble which were strewn across the rocky plateau all around.” Chapter 3

“Looking behind me, the clouds had deepened into a sinister darkness, as if a smokestack from a coal plant had tipped over. Turning my attention to the path in front, the fog had obscured all visibility beyond fifty feet.” Chapter 3

The Kala Patthar

“Today was a day, that I’ve dreamt of, since I was a young boy. I saw Mount Everest agains’t a clear blue sky.” Epilogue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Everest

Mt. Everest and Nupste https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuptse

“About a dozen people made it up, so at one point, with everyone bathing in the sun it seemed like a picnic.” Epilogue

A celebratory puff by Pumo Ri! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumori

Kala Patthar April 12th, 1986

Everest Basecamp

After two nights at Gorek Shep I was invited out to Mt. Everest Basecamp by the leader of the Polish expedition. I spent several very cold nights out there helping them set camp for other members of their team who would be joining them in a few days. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorakshep

On the moraine toward Basecamp. “Glancing around, I saw I was amid a forest of ice stalagmites randomly poking up from the ground. The oppressive weight of the surface rocks upon the glacier beneath cause this unusual occurrence. The seracs were anywhere from a couple of feet tall to gigantic blocks which towered over my head.” Chapter 4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khumbu_Glacier https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serac

Mt. Everest Basecamp #1 at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khumbu_Glacier

Polish Mt. Everest expedition 1986

Tengboche

On my way down from the Khumbu Valley I stopped at Tengboche. Reluctant to leave the mountains behind I stayed on for a few nights and caught up on my journal. After almost 40 years I still dream about this place … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengboche

On the morning of my departure there was a reception for Sir Edmund Hillary. Who, together with Tenzing Norgay, were the first team to ascend the summit of Mt. Everest in 1953. Sir Hillary was there to commemorate the opening of a new school which he had sponsored. His surprise visit was a perfect way to put the finishing touch an exhilarating adventure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Hillary https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenzing_Norgay

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