The Trekking Spine Doc Blog

Day 13 – Leushyasa to Monjo June 1, 2009

Final View of Mt. Everest

This was the second to last day of our trek.  It was  day that we dreaded somewhat, since we had to descend down that same steep trail to the river from Namche Bazar that we had ascended over a week ago.  Ultimately it did not prove to be that difficult.  We had all, by now, acclimatized somewhat to the altitude (Jon Miller estimated that we were acclimatized to 14,000 feet) and the air was much thicker than it had been while at Gorek Shep and EBC.  Nevertheless, the wear and tear of nearly two weeks of trekking was starting to show on us many of us had sore feet, knees and other body parts having had little opportunity for true “training” for this sort of adventure. 

Nevertheless, spirits were high and the weather was beginning to be

Jon Miller & John Coleman Asleep After Lunch in Namche

consistently good.  We had descended below the tree line (about 13,600 feet) and we were enjoying the vistas (including the last view of Mt. Everest on the trail to Namche Bazar) and greeting the trekkers that were ascending towards EBC and Kala Patar.  We stopped and shopped for souvenirs and had lunch in Namche Bazar before beginning our “dreaded” descent towards the river. 

After crossing the river three times on suspension bridges, we camped in Monjo, a small but busy town near the river,  and spend our last night in tents.  I had the opportunity to use Jon Miller’s professional video camera and videoed both him and Chris commenting on the trek. 

Namche Bazar