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- Apr 04, 2012
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First Everest Base Camp Trek Takes Off
Mountain Madness is back on the trail to Everest Base Camp for spring 2012!
After receiving a blessing from a Buddhist lama in Kathmandu and doing some sightseeing, we took one of the world’s most thrilling flights – to Lukla airstrip, gateway to the Everest region.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=ea69c7b182ef75c26d23792a688d2ea1 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3c01134bf6dc81dd7fed04ae52eaa3eb 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=f142875067ae62f8a3c7ca5af0459654 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=0de291401610eba7d58420bd1173087b 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=2120f616df572d6e10e30188ca14f69c 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=df3b6138ce55e3856809324d257fedc1 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=eeebbf44c4b0e5d2e44881f9f2fa18ef 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0283_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=76fe4493a1ecbd1543106a12d35cd684 400w)
Everyone at breakfast, fueling up for a beautiful day in the Himalayas. Deana Zabaldo photo
During our first two days, the hiking was beautiful in the lush lower valley on the way to Namche Bazaar. Small children offered us flowers as magnolias, rhododendrons, primula, and cherry trees bloomed along the trail.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=7d1981f6d2285aacefe06e0280296c61 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=36a1e0bfc0b06520da6ce61b3c71ff1c 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=240af61f3d78712a19e17a545e82be84 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=41e7ab4ddd3bb363bde01bc4686d46db 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=fa752149503471e0ad9ed7320e1127d4 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=0d0b18b492080d5aa54906719fd4dc0a 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=6f89e91b533362f030412214170df133 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0249_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=42d51d9c5cc75e8ae4af1dfea9195a7d 300w)
A young Nepali girl offers us flowers along the trail. Deana Zabaldo photo
In Jorsale, near the entry to the national park, we saw a small forest fire burning. Unfortunately it grew the next day, and we could see the plumes of smoke down the valley from Namche Bazaar. The army mobilized a crew with snow shovels and ice axes, and we hope they got it under control.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=9a675ddb06705d1c8cf5d558f894d73a 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=140038ae82887ce2e5afcd25ad8df02b 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=a3bbee9eda5e213437f369f3c85f7960 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=3a810ee6822dfa4ca948ba07d4aa7930 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=deed9f3e9152edfd76fe085efbccd153 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=61ccbc296683b99dfbd9f6cce498e961 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=5f0f6fac5b562c147f61eb7bef3118b4 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0275_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=21f5a0e73057d2cea2103c4f9534c602 400w)
The forest fire between Lukla and Namche. Deana Zabaldo photo
We’ve continued up the Khumbu Valley with a little snow and a little sun, the combination making the landscape stunningly powerful. Staying in Dingboche for 2 days, our sherpas settled into tents, we warmed up by the stove in the lodge, and our yaks got a rest. (Actually, they’re a yak-cow crossbreed.)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=861ffe4e66d596eb9d959491967a8c0e 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=548c687ebafb909a99ba4e61a9638756 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=66ec21d35d97060ba1132342e1a546ba 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=da79a25005d6d0d836276fac74e4e61c 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=fd8e8a3577ec26ed24de58279cc516e8 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=5c7d7dfd103243e05a5f3b1b35cd27d2 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=f45b6610b7a6ec936db6b21d4e13a5e5 400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0297_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=dcab7fc03159987150bb0198f2fd1934 400w)
Yaks, sherpa tents, and guest lodges in Dingboche. Deana Zabaldo photo
From our acclimatization hike, we have incredible views of Ama Dablam disappearing in and out of the clouds, and of the village of Dingboche below. Tomorrow after another delicious breakfast from the Mountain Madness kitchen, we’re heading up to Lobuche!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=6c13a12bff69bbf3ac6c807397cf3022 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=56857aedb46c380a0dcefb4c82a34820 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=642b39adb38c7e88ee1d1dc90c228b41 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=251574299a7fdba634e59801eb14f803 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=f511e1334c7be4c380250e65cb358a5d 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=17d1f93060af50f11f775bf3902c5d90 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=d024b3db9fa2e2fe036d42baec41a406 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2FIMG_0303_low_res.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=9bb5dc9fe032cc326359ed800eef2b45 300w)
The back side of Ama Dablam swirls in clouds
above the village of Dingboche, and we hike to
15,680 feet for acclimatization. Deana Zabaldo photo
~ MM Guide Deana Zabaldo