Potatoes, Potatoes, Potatoes

To Dingboche, Nepal (4350m) -- 4410m (14,460ft)

Hi, it’s Dex.  Today was my favorite day so far. Early on our hike from Pangboche to Dingboche, we were telling stories and nearly got hit by a charging, out-of-control yak. It was running from his owner who was throwing rocks at him. We also noticed lots of ice in the streams running over the trail. A few minutes later, after climbing past the tree line, we reached a valley with hundreds of trails in it. Kylie and I had a fun time trying to stay off the main trail and each others.

Pangboche Monastery surrounded by prayer wheels

Pick a trail

Both Kylie and I were hungry when we finally got to the river, so we stopped at a little tea house with an "exotic" menu of potatoes, potatoes, and potatoes! So, much to my disgust... I ordered potatoes. We each got a full plate of heaping fried potatoes and nothing else.  After some humphing and grumphing, I ate some, and it wasn't that bad.  As we were eating, a magnificent, huge hawk or eagle flew overhead and four smaller black birds started dive bombing it to chase it away.  That was cool.

Lunch stop

Right after we left, we met a really nice guy, Jeff, from San Jose. He was moving to Portland but was taking a year to travel in between. I immediately took to him, and we exchanged stories. It was nice to hear from someone who was also devastated by Donald Trump’s election. I just loved talking to him and really want to see him again. When we got to Dingboche, Kylie and I played outside, building a rock dam in the little stream made by a leaky hose.

Dex and San Jose Jeff

Kevin, warming up in the sun

Solar stove

A little later, the adults left to hike to Pheriche while Kylie and I stayed and played. For dinner, I had a great grilled cheese. Then we played a fun game of Cribbage and called it a night. I say it was a good day.

View over Pheriche

Lhotse at sunset

Dal Baht