D4-Phakding - Namche Bazaar

 Day 4 (2.10.22) - Phakding (8563ft/2619m) to Namche Bazaar -  (11,300 ft / 3,447m)

Phew! Escaped the bathrooms of Snowland. 

Motto for the next few days. Eat-Trek-Rest-Repeat! I had bread toast,Oats porridge and Ginger Lemon Honey for B'fast.

We were mentally prepared for a challenging and killer trek. All our backpacks were packed with candies, protein bars, electrolyte, water bottles, raincoats, trekking poles, sunscreen and caps. The Tenacious Troopers as we called ourselves set off @8:10am after the customary photoshoot. 

This was no race, no competition. I decided to go slow and enjoy the trek and formed the backbenchers gang - Prem,Rudra,Karthik,Asha, Nayan and myself.The first few hours of the trek was a trail along the left bank of the Dudh Kosi River was a picturesque countryside. Our jogpeys also followed us diligently. Beautiful fields beside the houses dotted the path. The locals grew cauliflowers, cabbages, lettuce and double beans. The myriad hues of green just couldn't fit in my palette. Prem,Asha and I got down a few bridges to enjoy the cold splash from the waterfalls.

We crossed the gushing rivers at many places. The suspension bridges across the gurgling rivers and rapids served as an auditory and visual treat. Would have been a heavenly exit through Sagarmatha (Bay of Bengal), had the Humpty Dumpties had a fall. An excellent test for our olfactories from the dung and urine of the jogpeys and mules. Surprisingly, these creatures also crossed all 5 suspension bridges with their luggage, except the last one "THE HILLARY". They took a de-tour just before the Hillary. The sheer look of it will send a chill down your spine.We huffed and puffed our way up the bridge which is the longest and the highest. It is final suspension bridge before the entering Namche Bazaar, named after Sir Edmund Hillary. The Dudh Kosi River below hurried at a raging speed. The Khada or the Buddhist shawls adorned the bridge. 

After crossing the Hillary, it was a steep climb towards the Sagarmatha National Park. Exhausted and hungry, we stopped at the Friendship Lodge for lunch. The restaurant was beside the river. The sound and the beauty of the splashing crystal green waters and the food boosted my energy levels. Rested for a while, before we began our second leg of the trek. The post-lunch session was the hardest part of the trek every day. Our bodies would have cooled down and our legs would refuse to move an inch while we had to climb higher and higher. As we dragged our bodies inch by inch, it would take us at least 45 mins to gain momentum. I sometimes, wished we never took a break. 

Our next milestone was the checkpost at Monjo to collect the entry permits to the Sagarmatha National Park.We passed through tiny pockets of settlements and pine forests. The trail got tougher with thin air and higher altitude. Took deep breaths and slow steps we kept marching forward. The sturdy roots of the trees transformed into steps. Alternating with water and electrolytes fueled some energy into the parched throats and drained bodies. Near half waypoint, we enjoyed our first views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse - the big three. It took us almost 4 hrs to see the name board saying "Welcome to Namche Bazaar", yet we hadn't reached it. We were another 20mins away from the main town and another 15 mins to reach the hotel. A bustling town in the Khumbhu valley , a good shopping place for all needs. This was our first acclimatization stop to get our bodies adjusted to the lower oxygen levels. 

It was pleasant stay at Nirvana Homes - owned by the son of Kancha Sherpa (one of the sherpas who accompanied Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on their trek to MtEverest). A place with a lovely ambience served us for 2 nights.The weather has also been conducive so far.

Hurray! Every day seemed to be an accomplishment, while things only got tougher. . Eduvum kadandu pogum!! Blankets on!

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