For the next several days this mountain (pictured below) dominated our view. It was very impressive – and was shaped like a proper mountian – if you see what I mean. It was pointy and rocky and massive and had lots of snow. Maybe it was this that prompted one of our group – I don’t know who it was (I do actually, but I’m not going to embarrass them) – to ask Ngima – “Is that K2?” Now K2 is the second highest mountain in the world, so on that basis it seemed a reasonable question. But K2 is also nearly 900 miles from Everest and is on the Pakistan/China border. Therefore this was a bad question, but Ngima dealt with it very graciously.

It is actually Ama Dablam and is a mere 22,430 feet ( 6170m) high.

Our walk today was one massive down followed by one massive up. Very simple – no way of getting lost. Our destination was Tengboche, famous for its monastery and monks who bless every expedition that passes their way – and many do. We were well up for a blessing.

At the lowest point of the day I took this nice photo of Darren and Helen (now married, but not then) as they gaily trotted across another scary bridge.

We also spotted an unusual horizontal water wheel. On closer inspection we saw this was connected to a prayer wheel. These Buddhists are cunning. The prayer wheel contains thousands of prayers and they are all released with one revolution. By connecting it to a water wheel you can go about your daily business happy in the knowledge your prayers are working for you 24/7.

For some unknown reason – Facebook inspired I guess – in 2013 it was the height of cool to have your photo taken whilst jumping in the air. So, we spent a great deal of our time (and energy) doing this. Here we see our guides Mingma, Ngima, Kami and Ratna wasting a lot of precious oxygen.

You’ll notice below how we both have snoods around our necks. This was not a fashion statement. One of the biggest health problems we could get is called the Khumbu Cough. Khumbu is the name of the valley leading up to Everest. The cough is caused by the low humidity and altitude. But also by the dust. The problem is, the dust is not just dust. This path is used by thousands of trekkers and thousands of yaks too. The yak droppings dry in the sun and are trampled releasing yak-shit-dust. You do not want to inhale too much of this, so you wear a face-covering while walking.

Today was a short day , so we arrived in Tengboche (3880m, 12730ft) shortly after lunchtime. We spent the afternoon snoozing and wandering around.

Ama Dablam with the moon above it.

I went for a wander up the hill and found a grazing yak.

Looking down on Tengboche monastery