Pheriche Acclimatization Hike

December 28th we woke up to clear skies and a dusting of snow. The storm had blown over and we were set to do an acclimatization hike. Pheriche is in a valley and on the other side of the mountain is Dingboche. All hikers in Pheriche and Dingboche do the same acclimatization hike. We were the only trekkers in our tea house hiking up and consequently the only ones acclimatizing from Pheriche. As we hiked we ran into lots of hikers from Dingboche.

Looking down on the village of Pheriche.

 I haven't mentioned yet how many helicopters we saw while doing our trek. There were so many. We really started to notice them more this day. They would land in Pheriche and the tourists could get out and take pictures. We watcher helicopter after helicopter come in on our hike. They would continue up the canyon to get a view of base camp.

 The clouds were lingering a little bit as we started our hike. It was definitely a very chilly morning. We were hiking straight uphill. We climbed more than 1000 ft straight up. We needed to get above 15,000 ft and to hang out for a little bit so we could acclimatize.

 Once we were up on the lower ridge we could look down and see Dingboche as well.

 Looking down on Dingboche.

 We put on all our layers because the temperatures were so cold. It was also windy.

 The flags, mountains and rock cairns are all amazing.

 So so so cold.

 Unfortunately the hike was pretty short and I fell on the way down. Luckily I wasn't hurt. The terrain was just so steep. The short hike was bad because we got back to the tea house around noon and we were stuck there, freezing cold, all day long. They had a game similar to chutes and ladders but with snakes. We played a couple rounds of that.

Eventually Cyndee and I had to bring our sleeping bags to the common room. Our guide made it clear that that was weird but it was so so cold. I didn't want to just lay in my bed all day and be anti social but I had to stay warm.

I just snuggles down in there and read a book for most of the afternoon. I was still feeling a little off from being sick the night before so the slower day was welcome, the cold was not. I don't think my hamds came out of my bag until it was time for dinner.