Nepal: Gokyo Ri-Chola Pass-Lobuche East peak trek. Oct/Nov 2023; amazing views of Everest, Cho Oyu.

Archie and Mark did the incredible, picturesque Gokyo Ri/Chola Pass/Lobuche East trek in the Himalayas of Nepal from October 20-November 4, 2023. The views of the mountains, hills, forests, rivers, flora, and wildlife were amazing. As always, the hospitality, graciousness, and resilience of all the Nepali people were fantastic. Archie summited Lobuche East on October 31; Mark turned around early that morning before the summit due to a viral lung infection/mild high-altitude pulmonary edema. This video tries to capture some of what we saw in the trek. But nothing beats being there.

The trek was organized at a very reasonable price and amazing service by Red Reach Himalaya: https://redreachhimalaya.com/

We did the trek as volunteers to raise funds for computers for the HOPE worldwide Nepal Asha Vidyashram school in Balaju, Kathmandu. https://hopewwnepal.org/

If you want to give, the link will be live until November 20 at:
https://hopeww.kindful.com/climb-for-...

We are very grateful to everyone who supported this adventure. We welcome volunteers and visitors to the school. Of course, Archie and I paid for our trek costs and all funds raised went to the school.

Karma Sherpa and Jyamjo Bhote were our awesome climbing guides; Pasang Gombu Sherpa and Dorje Sherpa were our amazing porters.

During the trek, we also met with the awesome leadership of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality (not in video) in Chaurikharka; with the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee in Namche (not in video, but their wonderful waste control work is evident all over the region - https://www.spcc.org.np/); with the Sagarmatha Next art/waste recycling NGO in Syangboche - (briefly featured in video; see https://www.sagarmathanext.com/https:... and with the Khumbu Climbing Center in Phortse (briefly featured in video; see https://www.khumbuclimbingcenter.com/).

We helped support the "Carry Me Back" waste control program by each carrying a 1 kilogram bag of trash from Namche to Lukla. We met many courageous porters who carry anywhere from 40-100 kilograms on their backs to keep the tourist lodges and mountaineering expeditions supplied.

Our itinerary was as follows:
October 20: Kathmandu (1330m) - Lukla (2840m) by flight; trek to Monjo (2810m)
October 21: Monjo (2810m) - Namche (3440m)
October 22: Namche (3440m) - Syangboche (3890m) - Khumjung (3790m) - Namche (3440m)
October 23: Namche (3440m) - Phortse (3840m)
October 24: Phortse (3840m) - Machhermo (4470m)
October 25: Machhermo (4470m) - Gokyo Lake (4790m)
October 26: Gokyo Lake (4790m) - Gokyo Ri (5368m) - Gokyo Lake (4790m)
October 27: Gokyo Lake (4790m) - Tangnak (4700m) via Dzongla Glacier
October 28: Tangnak (4700m) - Chola Pass (5364m) - Dzongla (4830m)
October 29: Rest day at Dzongla
October 30: Dzongla (4830m) - Lobuche High Camp (5205m)
October 31: Lobuche High Camp (5205m) - Lobuche East Peak (6090m, with view of real summit at 6119m) - Lobuche High Camp (5205m)
November 1: Lobuche High Camp (5205m) - Thukla (4620m) - Pangboche (3985m)
November 2: Pangboche (3985m) - Tengboche (3890m) - Namche (3440m)
November 3: Namche (3440m) - Lukla (2840m)
November 4: Lukla (2840m) - Kathmandu (1330m) by flight