Kala Patthar
Trip Start
Sep 29, 2007
1
11
12
Trip End
Oct 29, 2007
Gorak Shep,
Nepal
Saturday, October 20, 2007
But Kala Patthar has the views.
Se we cannot rest, cannot retreat to sleeping bags,
We must put feet even higher, climb more rock over ice, ice over rock.
Only a portion of the Awesome Team attacks Kala Patthar,
It pushes the limits of capability and endurance for our team.
We are fit and dedicated, challenged, trekers, some can go higher,
But we are not true, high altitude, mountain summiters.
The climb requires 710 meters, 2300 feet, from Lobouche, then Gorak Shep,
Already above the clouds, cold and air so very thin
Icy crevasse on the Khumbu Glacier
.Ice and rocks treacherous underfoot, do not slip, place the foot carefully,
Slow, then slower, extra breath with each step.
These pitiful steps take us above the ridge hiding massive Everest.
The upper reaches of Everest become complete,
Lhotse showing behind Nuptse, towers of rock and ice, thrust unbelievably high.
We have truly seen the top of the world, we have done it on our own wobbly legs!
Everest Base Camp is now well below, tents spread helter, skelter, among rocks.
No time for rapture, too tired for reverie, darkness is approaching,
We must make it back to our tents at Gorak Shep, watch for slippery ice,
This is no time for slips, sprains, breaks.
We have achieved our most fervent goal,
We have approached the top of the world,
We have seen God's icy majesty, risen above Mother Nature's realm,
I return to more familiar ground, humbled, yet immensely proud of my effort.
Words and impressions from the long, arduous, return, would be anti-climactic,
They reside in my inner thoughts, but not on the surface.
The trek, the challenge, was successfully done, that has been said, but no more.
The next phase in Nepal, the hospital in Ilam awaits; but there the challenge is different.
