Approach to Everest

At the head of the Khumbu valley, behind the khumbu icefall and the western Cwm, lies the highest mountain on earth. Symbolic of mankind's struggle to overcome the forces of mountaineering achievsment for decades, Mount Everest is today the focus of commercial expeditions and the aspirational high point of many people's Journeys to Nepal. Surrounded by a host of only marginally lesser peaks, Everest has never yielded its secrets easily. However, by trekking beyound the last shelters at Gor5ak Shep and ascending to the vantage point of Kala Pattar you can experience for yourself the awesome grandeur of this, the ultimate mountain. Few people that visit the Khumbu do so without seeking a viewpoint from which to gaze upon the summit of Everest. Whilst the view from Gokyo Ri is arguably more spectacualr, that from Kala Pattar is the more famous and it is along this trail that the vast majority of tekkers in the area head. The route is well serviced by trekkers lodges, and even the highest of these now stay open practically all winter, such has been the increase in traffic recently. Preferably begin by walking to Namche Bazaar from Jiri (trek 17).