The Highest Marathon in the World
The Highest Marathon in the World
Everest Marathon - Nepal
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Arrival & Fun Run  |  Kathmandu Tours  |  Kathmandu to Namche  |  Namche & the Thamo Loop  |  Trek to Gokyo
Trek to Gorak Shep  |  Race Day  |  After the Race  |  People of Nepal  |  Competitors & Helpers

Trek to Gokyo

Before heading towards the race start at Gorak Shep we have an excursion up the Gokyo Valley. As well as offering stunning views this part of the trek is designed to help people to acclimatise ready for the race itself. Please click on a photo to see a larger image

After the Thamo Loop all competitors move up to Khumjung (3780m) for the night.View over Khumjung at sunset.Ama Dablam at sunset.Competitors wander onto a ridge to watch the sunset over Thamserku.
Although we use yaks and porters to transport all of our gear the yaks are less happy about it!For the next few days we will be trekking up to Gokyo. This is a valley that runs parallel to the main Everest (and race) route. This part of the trek is designed to help people to acclimatise, so by race day they are in a fit condition to run the race.After Khumjung there is a choice between the longer flatter route or the more direct steeper route shown here.Climbing up to the Mong La (3972m).
Competitors stop in a lodge on the top of the Mong La for more lemon tea.The view up from the Mong La.Descending the Mong La.Back down at the Dudh Kosi. Lunch at Phortse Tenga.
Lunch being prepared by one of the kitchen staff.One of our sherpa crew serving lunch.A musk deer spotted near the lunch stop.After lunch we climb again towards Dole (4040m).
Inside the White group lodge at Dole.Walking towards Machermo. From Dole onwards the scenery changes as you get above the tree line. The summit in the background is Cho Oyu (8210m), the 6th highest mountain in the world.Kitchen porters carrying the cooking apparatus.Another lodge, another flask of lemon tea.
View up the side valley at Machermo.Machermo (4465m).The walk obviously wasn't tiring enough for some as an impromptu game of touch-rugby develops between the competitors and the sherpas.Is that allowed in touch-rugby?
Machermo at night.Inside a lodge. One of the group leaders gives the nightly briefing about what is happening the next day.Another acclimatisation day spent at Machermo. A chance to catch up on your domestic chores.On the acclimatisation days competitors are encouraged to do a walk to gain some extra height, as this process of slowly getting your body used to higher altitudes helps the acclimatisation process.
Leaving Machermo, the view back down the valley we have previously walked up.And the view up the valley, with Cho Oyo getting closer.The valley narrows as you climb. The wall of rock on the right is the lateral moraine of the Ngozumba Glacier.Another view back down the valley. Machermo is tucked away just over the ridge in the middle distance.
The first of three lakes which mark the way to Gokyo.The second lake.The third lake with Gokyo (4800m) in the background.Camp at Gokyo.
Looking down at Gokyo from the lateral moraine of the Ngozumba Glacier ...... and looking up the glacier from the same spot.For those arriving it Gokyo in good time it is possible to continue up the valley past another two lakes ...... to where a good view of the summit of Everest opens up.
Even with taking our time and the acclimatisation days it can still be difficult to acclimatise. Here a competitor is taken ill with altitude sickness overnight and has to be put into a pressurised bag to alleviate the symptoms before being helped down to a lower level. She later recovered and were able to complete the race!Before leaving Gokyo there is time to ascend Gokyo Ri (5360m), a small peak above Gokyo village.On the summit of Gokyo Ri.The summit offers amazing views including this one over to Everest itself.
The summit of Everest in close-up.After Gokyo Ri we return to Machermo for the night. The next day we return to Khumjung, either walking or as here by using it as a training run.Running back down to Khumjung.