Sagarmatha National Park: The Trek Begins

After heading through the gates of Sagarmatha National Park, which is the primary entry point for all hikers and climbers heading towards Everest Base Camp, the team had their first full day of trekking.

Today, they trekked from Phakding (8,563 ft / 2,610 m) to Namche Bazaar (11,286 ft / 3,440 m) and caught their first sights of Mount Everest. The route took the team across the Dudh Koshi River multiple times, including the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge, strung high above glacial turquoise water with pine forest falling steeply to the gorge below.

Along the trail, mani stones carved with Tibetan scripture mark the path, as they have for centuries, with signs of spring springing up everywhere, including a little bit of rain as the team continued their trek.

As the day rolled along, the team arrived at Namche Bazaar, a thriving hub of teahouses, gear shops, and Sherpa culture at the center of the Khumbu, set in a natural amphitheater carved into the hillside. It's known as the Sherpa Capital of the world, and for good reason, as this bustling community is the first place on the trek where Everest comes into view.

Today was a big trekking day, which means tomorrow will be a strategic rest and acclimatization day. The team will take a day hike to Thamo Monastery, a 300-year-old site above the valley, where the monks have kept their practice through every climbing season the Khumbu has seen.

Photos courtesy of Tomi Ceppi