Everest Three-Pass Trek from Jiri
Oct 2023 • Solo
I had a wonderful, challenging, 26-day, 3-High Pass trek from Jiri to Everest Base camp. I was very fortunate to be able to go as a solo trekker with my guide Mangal and his brother as our cheerful porter. We trekked as a team – more like friends. In our small team, I was more exposed, than in a group trek, to the warmth and friendship of the Sherpa people on the trail and in the guesthouses. I will always remember the tomato soup I ate every night at the guesthouses and the tsampa porridge every morning. When I was planning the trek, I knew that the 3 High Passes were very challenging, yet I was confident I could achieve that, at age 67 years, with the training I underwent in the years beforehand, and consequently the Passes proved every bit as tough as I had anticipated. At that demanding high altitude, Mangal ensured my safety from sickness and injury. On my arrival in Nepal, Dhanne, the Nepal Alsace director and organizer, wisely added four more days for extra acclimatization to my itinerary, which was great because it meant I was in good shape and remained healthy throughout the whole time of being at high altitude. Dhanne personally welcomed me on my arrival at Kathmandu airport, and saw me off there on my departure, during our trek he checked on my progress by phone, and at the finish accompanied me to the Immigration office to extend my tourist visa.
Overall, I enjoyed the “off the beaten path” trekking from Jiri through the 2000 metre-plus hills observing the farms and crops during harvest time, and then the shift above Namche Bazaar when views of Mt Everest and all the other grand, snowclad mountains could be seen. Thank you Dhanne, Mangal, and Pambo for a highly enjoyable trek. If I ever consider another trek in Nepal I would go with you guys.