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Day 8: Kala Patthar Acclimatization (Part 2)

Everest Base Camp (5,600m)

Khumbu Glacier, Nepal
April – May 2016

Kala Patthar Acclimatization

Gorak Shep is a small village located at an altitude of 5,164 meters (16,942 feet) and is the last stop before reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. Kala Patthar, on the other hand, is a nearby peak that stands at 5,555 meters (18,192 feet) and offers the best viewpoint to see the entire mountain range, including the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest.

Both Gorak Shep and Kala Patthar are situated in the high Himalayas and trekking to these destinations requires proper acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness. To properly acclimatize, trekkers follow the “climb high, sleep low” principle. This means that during the day, you should trek to higher elevations, but then descend to a lower altitude to sleep. This allows your body to gradually adjust to the thinning air and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

Kala Patthar acclimatization starts from the village of Gorak Shep, which is the last stop before reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. From Gorak Shep, the trail to Kala Patthar begins with a steep climb through rocky terrain and boulder fields. The ascent is steep and can be challenging, especially at high altitude, but the trail is well-marked and easy to follow.
Namche Bazaar to Syangboche
Flat terrain before the steep climb.
Photo by John Teh
As we make our way to the summit, the view of the surrounding mountains becomes increasingly breathtaking. Along the way, we had the opportunity to see several peaks including Pumori, Lingtren, and Khumbutse. The view of Mount Everest from Kala Patthar is especially spectacular, as it offers a clear view of the entire mountain, including the famous “Hillary Step” which is the last major obstacle before reaching the summit of Mount Everest.
The higher you are, the better the view.
Photos by John Teh
The trek up to Kala Patthar is a physically demanding one, and your level of fitness will play a major role in determining how comfortable the trek will be for you. It’s important to be in good physical shape before attempting the trek, as the ascent is steep and can be challenging at high altitude. Having a good cardiovascular fitness, strong legs and good endurance will be helpful during the trek.

Evidently, I was having none of the above, struggling immensely throughout the journey. The pace was painstakingly slow. Not many photos or videos were taken along the way, as the priority was to survive and reach the summit in one piece.

Breathing can also be a challenge at this altitude, as the air is thin and there is less oxygen available. I reminded myself to take it slow and pace myself during the ascent to help my body adjust to the thinning air.

Are we there yet?
Photos by John Teh
Reaching the summit of Kala Patthar is a truly unforgettable experience. The view from the top is truly breathtaking and provides a panoramic view of the entire mountain range, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, as well as the Khumbu Glacier. Was told that the view is especially stunning at sunrise, when the mountains are bathed in the soft light of the early morning sun.

When you reach the summit of Kala Patthar, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and awe at the beauty of the surrounding mountains. It’s a place where one can take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty and grandeur of the Himalayas, and reflect on the journey that it took to get there. You can take a moment to take in the panoramic view and take some photographs to capture the memories of the beautiful view and the experience.

At Kala Patthar’s summit – The best viewpoint to see the entire mountain range.
Photos by John Teh
The view from the summit is truly spectacular and offers an opportunity to witness the true majesty of the Himalayas. It’s a unique experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. It’s a place where you can feel small and insignificant in the face of nature’s power, but also feel a sense of connection to the mountains and the natural world. It’s a journey that will challenge you physically and mentally, but also leave you with a sense of accomplishment and a newfound appreciation for the natural world.
Namche Bazaar to Syangboche
The view during our descent.
Photo by John Teh
We stayed at the summit for 30 minutes, which felt like 3 minutes. After numerous photo and video shoots and some adequate rest, we started our descent back to Gorak Shep. The journey back took us 30 minutes compared to the 2-hour journey up. This acclimatization exercise was essentially done to prepare us for the final leg of our journey to our final destination—Everest Base Camp, the following day.

As for now, we just rest, eat, and sleep.

Day 8 (Part 2) – Kala Patthar Acclimatization
Everest Base Camp – Visit my Youtube Channel for more videos.
This post / video is a part of a 21-part series, covering everything from:-
  1. Day 1 (Kathmandu to Lukla)
  2. Day 1 (Lukla to Phakding)
  3. Day 2 (Phakding to Namche Bazaar)
  4. Day 2 (Namche Bazaar)
  5. Day 3 (Syangboche Acclimatization)
  6. Day 3 (Back to Namche Bazaar, dropping by at Sagarmatha National Park)
  7. Day 4 (Namche Bazaar to Tengboche)
  8. Day 5 (Tengboche - Dinboche)
  9. Day 6 (Dingboche & Nangkartshang - Acclimatization)
  10. Day 6 (Getting down from Nangkartshang & Snow)
  11. Day 7 (Dingboche to Lobuche)
  12. Day 7 (A Heart-Wrenching Stop at Thukla Pass and Scott Fischer’s Memorial)
  13. Day 8 (Lobuche to Gorak Shep)
  14. Day 8 (Kalla Phatthar Acclimatization)
  15. Day 9 (Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp)
  16. Day 9, 10 & 11 (Gorak Shep to Pheriche, Namche Bazaar and Phakding)
  17. Day 12 (Phakding to Lukla)
  18. Day 12 (Flying back to Kathmandu from Lukla Airport)
  19. Day 13 (Kathmandu - Swayambhunath Buddhist Temple)
  20. Day 14 (Kathmandu City Adventure)
  21. Journey to the Roof of the World: A Trekker's Final Post and Summary of the Epic Everest Base Camp Trek

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