Gokyo Trek: Hahn & Team Ascend Steep and Snowy Renjo La Pass
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - 4:09 am PT
The stars and satellites were twinkling when we left Lungdhen at 5:25 AM. It appeared to be a perfect morning for our big climb. The trail was steep and unrelenting, right off the bat, but the team was moving well. By the first rest break we no longer needed headlamps and the jagged peaks were bathed in splendid sunlight. After the initial hills, we walked through rolling and sandy hills amid alpine lakes. We began to encounter the snow that fell while we were coming into Kathmandu a week ago. It got a little deeper as we got on the steep rock switchbacks and ledges that led to the pass itself. It was tricky going. There was no room for slipping or tripping. But our amazing guide team of Tenzing, Lakpa Tenzing, Santa and Rai were vigilant and enormously helpful. The team had certainly noticed the 17,600 ft of elevation when we hit the pass, but it was so magical to be standing there in bright sun with no wind and the whole world seemingly revealed, that the gang smiled through whatever pain they were feeling. Right there in front of us were Everest, Lhotse and Makalu (the first, fourth and fifth highest mountains in the world.) We ate, drank and took pictures. It was easy to just hang out, gazing at a thousand mountains and glaciers, but after about thirty minutes it was time to get busy with a safe descent. We’d made the pass at about 11 AM and were headed down the other side by about 11:40. The snowy path through steep rock demanded laser focus, but things got easier as we descended. We pulled into Gokyo 9.5 hours after we’d begun the day, having covered 8.7 tough (but beautiful) miles. Our guesthouse sits on the edge of a turquoise lake at nearly 15,700 ft. The team was happy to find their rooms in the comfortable Fitzroy Lodge.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
PC: Dave Hahn
