Nepal Trekking Day 2

Day 2: Phakding (2,610 m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Day 2 is a big trekking day for us. We start out early in the morning (7am) to make sure that we get to Namche Bazaar by 1-2 in the afternoon.

For those doing the math, we gain a lot of altitude on this day which is why we will be spending an extra day in Namche. We need to acclimate in order to get our bodies adjusted to the changes in the barometric pressure and reduction of oxygen molecules in the air.

Altitude wasn't really a factor for us in Lukla or Phakding. But today as we gain altitude heading into Namche we really do start feeling the fatigue and need for breaks to catch our breath.

The hike on this day is a lot of ups and downs as we make our way through a river valley and up into Namche. It is filled with a lot of villages and gorgeous views of the foothills into the Himalayas. We have 6 river crossings over suspension bridges, for those of you who know me - I am terrified of bridges, especially ones going over rapid, rocky rivers. The thing that saved me was seeing the big yaks with packs crossing successfully. I figured if they can do it with their heavy weight then the bridge definitely isn't going to snap with me on it:)

Sherpa Village in the early morning

Monastary built on a hillside just outside of Phakding

We have 6 bridge crossings on this day

Our guide tells me this is just a 'hill' ... !!!!

Soakin' up the Himalaya sun ... check out my long sleeve-T tied around my shoulders - what is that about???? I look like I am on vacationing at a resort or something!

Thamserku (6608m) in the background

These pictures are a look back at the trail we had been hiking the past 2 days. It felt excellent to look back at all the progress we had made and to remind ourselves of the amazing scenery around us.

The end of Day 2 is a 300 m climb into Namche. Again, not a huge climb (about 980 ft) but since we are starting to feel a little fatigued and breathing is a little more difficult it is definitely a big challenge.

Once we got into Namche I started getting pissed off, I thought once we got there, we would be done climbing for the day. But we didn't stop - we kept climbing and climbing. Our guide had arranged for us to stay in a very nice tea house but turned out it was at the top of the hill in Namche. About 50m from the hotel I had a sugar crash... I did so well all day!!!! Luckily we had some sugar coated gummy candies which held me over the last few steps. There was another couple hiking along with us, the woman was getting a little shakey also... so we shared our gummies with her -- she was very thankful to get a blood sugar boost ... I believe we saved their marriage :)

Once I was properly fed and happy, we got to get out and explore Namche!!! I think it was one of our favorite stops on the trip.

Namche is built into the mountains and is the Sherpa Capital. Here you will find all sorts of goodies for trekking (equipment, food, maps) as well as handcrafts by the Sherpa people. This is also a major trade route for goods coming through Tibet. We ate a lot of good food, slept a lot and shopped during our time in Namche.

Trail up to Namche

FINALLY we made it, view of Namche Bazaar