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Beating A Hasty Retreat We Overtake Other Porters |
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| Saturday 11/11
We beat a hasty retreat from our camp on top of the world
as storm clouds boil up from below. Dawa was much more
worried than I; and even though I have never been so
isolated or at such an elevation, fierce winter storms are
not new to me.
We are now back at Mt. Mera.
It was a very cold retreat from the Ponch Pokhora. Snowing
most of the night and leaving a couple of inches of fine,
icy powder, the weather broke as we packed up. Good fortune or
Dawa’s difference to Buddha? |
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We had arrived here early in the afternoon, which did not give us
quite enough time to go over the pass. Tomorrow we will negotiate
the treacherous scree slope and be up and over.
Dawa
has again mentioned climbing. I can see that he would like to more
than I, but the obstacles of food for us and crampons for Dawa will
prevent it. It is enough for me that I know that I can.
The
black tea is gone. Dawa mixed the jam with hot water and the
resulting drink was sweet and good.
In some
ways I wish Dawa was a little more aggressive. Now that I am back at
the Mera La with no chance to climb the mountain, it would have been
fun to see new territory by way of the Lhobsta Pass. Perhaps some
day I will try it again!
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This morning, at our campsite, I cleaned up trash from
previous users and packed it away. Dawa just looked with
resignation and acceptance. This time Dawa did not offer to
carry it knowing that I knew that he would dump the garbage
at his first opportunity.
Three more days and we should be at Lukla, and then
Kathmandu. I am getting tired of five weeks of walking with
a heavy pack. Dawa’s legs are in great shape, but he says
his back is really acting up. As his pack lightens up from
food and fuel consumption, I have been tempted to lighten my
load, which is getting heavier, onto his back. I won’t ask
though, since it is my idea to be carrying half the
Himalayas back home in the form of rock. And, of course, there is
the garbage. I am fortunate that my back and legs have held
up. |
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The
Small Lakes Making Up This Ponch Pakori |
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Page 80 |
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