Everest Base Camp with Declan O'Connell of Lee Travel

Declan O’Connell of Lee Travel celebrating his 60th birthday at Everest base camp.

Declan O’Connell of Lee Travel spent his 60th birthday at Everest base Camp. See extended blog here.

Day 1: Fabulous views on the flight from Kathmandu from Lukla where we began our 12 day trek to Everest Base Camp. Day 1 completed with and overnighting in Phakding.
Day 2: Toughest day with 8 hours trekking through woods, across rope bridges, up from 2,400m to 3,400m. Altitude wasn’t a huge issue but it got very cold as we reached Namche Bazaar. Hot shower was very welcome. Lots of fellow trekkers on the route. All the guys coming down assured us it was easier.
Day 3: Our so called “rest day” where we acclimatised at 4,000m. Got our first view of Everest (distant background on the left) Group getting on great with no altitude or other problems. Evening spent playing cards where we learned a new Nepalese card game before bedtime at 9.00. Tomorrow to Tengboche where we will see the famous Monastery.

Declan O’Connell of Lee Travel celebrating his 60th birthday at Everest base camp.

Declan O’Connell of Lee Travel celebrating his 60th birthday at Everest base camp.
Day 4: Nice surprise with a lovely lodge in Tengboche. We feel we deserved it after a tough six hour trek through a valley, down across a rope bridge and up for 2 1/2 hours. Definitely feeling cooler after we had great sunshine for most of it and terrific views of Everest. Altitude kicking it but all good for everyone. Going to see the famous Tengboche Monastery for 3.30 prayers.
Day 5: Local Traffic on the road to Dingboche. We reached over the 4,000m mark. Picture two shows the great tea making facilities on offer – not sure how long it takes to boil though. Tomorrow we look forward to our second acclimatising day.
Day 6 – 8: Big day today, we made it to Everest Base Camp. Early start this morning in Labouche where it was a cool -10 degrees. We had a five-hour trek to Gorak Shep where we took a quick break before we set off to our final destination. It was a two-and-a-half-hour trek to Base Camp with incredible scenery and sounds of Mini avalanches in the background which was quite surreal. We met many nationalities along the way and there was a great atmosphere and celebrations when we finally reached Base camp.
Return: The return is all about getting there, not so much as all downhill but down 500 metres and up 200 but they are long days and wearying. To make it worthwhile we booked a lovely 5* hotel in Kathmandu and the thought of it carried us through the last few tough days. Now that it is all done we have fantastic memories and a great sense of satisfaction at having completed the trek

Declan O’Connell of Lee Travel celebratied his 60th birthday at Everest base camp.