Finally cleared past the checkpoint, racing for Everest Base Camp in convoy with military escort |
So of course, we fly by the wildlife at 80 km/hr |
Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) |
Everest Base Camp, a collection of tents with souvenirs and refreshments |
Chinese flag at Everest Base Camp |
Chinese flag with the flag of the Qomolangma Nature Preserve |
Hotel Yak and Yeti, Everest Base Camp |
Himalaya Hotel and Hotel de California |
China Post, Everest Base Camp |
We're going to drive to the Rongphu Glacier viewpoint for a brief stay |
The bus dropped us here and we were told to stay in the area |
It's a small Chinese military outpost at 5200m |
Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp 5200m (17,060 ft) |
End of the Road |
Everest Base Camp |
Prayer flags |
The summit of Mt Everest is in the clouds |
One of the other American tourists that was held up at the checkpoint with me |
Prayer flags, Everest Base Camp |
"Core area of Qomolangma Tourists stop" |
Do Not Pass or You Will Be Shot |
There's another marker about 1 km farther up the valley |
I was very annoyed that we were held back, but another group was allowed to closer to the glacier |
I'm feeling very cheated after the 4 hour delay then the stupid military escort and 30 minute time limit |
Rubble and sediment in front of the Rongphu Glacier |
Rongphu Glacier viewpoint |
Rongphu Glacier at the foot of Mt Everest |
Peaks below Mt Everest |
From this point, it's 18 km to the summit of Mt Everest |
It looks like the clouds might clear soon....so time's up! Back to Rongphu |
View back towards Everest Base Camp and Rongphu from the glacier viewpoint |
And there is a mobile phone signal here |
China Mobile, Everest Base Camp |
Shrine near the end of the road |
The summit of Mt Everest pokes through a hole in the clouds...but our 30 minutes is up, so no waiting for it to clear |
The road back to Everest Base Camp and Rongphu |
Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) Qomolangma National Nature Reserve |
My first wolf....ever...and the bus driver did stop for a few moments |
Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) |
Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) |
Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) |
Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) |
Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) |
A tiny settlement beyond Everest Base Camp |
Along the road back down to Everest Base Camp |
Mount Everest trying to reemerge from behind the clouds |
Mount Everest trying to reemerge from behind the clouds |
Dozens of stone cairns piled up near a shrine |
They never did tell us what the problem was with our permits |
Mt Everest, clearing after an hour hidden in the clouds |
Me with Mt Everest |
The north face of Mt Everest from Everest Base Camp |
The north face of Mt Everest from Everest Base Camp |
The north face of Mt Everest from Everest Base Camp |
The north face of Mt Everest |
The road leading to the foot of Mt Everest from Everest Base Camp |
Stone cairns with Mt Everest |
Everest Base Camp |
Dangerous people requiring military escort to look at a mountain! |
The road leading to the foot of Mt Everest from Everest Base Camp |
Mt Everest |
Everest Base Camp |
Everest Base Camp |
North face of Mt Everest from Everest Base Camp |
North face of Mt Everest from Everest Base Camp |
Everest Base Camp |
Everest Base Camp |
Everest Base Camp |
Everest Base Camp |