Trek to Mt. Everest--Highlights

Mt. Everest from Kalapattar

Hi Friends,
I just finished the 26 day trek over thee Three Passes near Mt. Everest. I was accompanied by Attila Joo from Germany. It was a strenuous trek and we got snowed on a few times, but still it was enjoyable and challenging.  After the trek I went to the Lawudo Monastery/retreat center high on a mountain near Namche Bazzar for a 10 day personal retreat.
 Here are some photo highlights of the trek.

At the great Bouddha Stupa in Kathmandu, with Attila(left) and Samrat; Samrat and his family were my generous hosts during my stay in Kathmandu.

Black lines show trekking route to the Everest (Khumbu) region starting from Phaplu airport (circle at bottom)

Attila preparing to board the small aircraft which takes us to Phaplu airstrip

The plane after ours' landing on the gravel airstrip at Phaplu

Ready to hit the trekking trail 

One of many suspension bridges to cross

Spinning the Mani (Om Mani Padme Hum) wheel found at the entrance to many villages

The big Sherpa village of Namche Bazzar--Gateway to Mount Everest

Standing at the Sargarmartha National Park Headquarters with the tip of Mt. Everest showing

The Tengboche Monastery at sunrise; Mt.  Amadabalam is at the right

Taking a break at a lodge in Pangboche with our guide, Mingma

On a  acclimitization hike to the base of Amadabalam

Yaks carrying essential  goods to Everest Base Camp

Island Peak seen from Dingboche

View of Makalu (center) from Kongmala high camp (17,000+ft)

It snowed on us at the KongmaLa high camp

Atop the KongmaLa

Mt. Pumori with the faint trail up Kalapattar

View from Kalapattar (17,500ft.)

Swollen face is effect of High altitude

Other view from Kalapattar with Amadabalam and Khumbu glacier

In front of the fearsome Khumbu icefall at Everest base camp

My tent at Everest base camp

Expedition camps dot the glacier

The Gokyo resort; the trail up Gokyo Ri is visible behind the lake at left

It snowed five inches during the night; Yaks happy as clams

With my guide atop Gokyo Ri (17,000ft.) with Everest, Lotse and Makalu looming behind

View of the great Ngzumpa glacier from above the fifth lake.




That is all for now.



P.S.

A reporter from the Kathmandu Post interviewed me about why I come to Nepal. She titled her article, Monasticism in the Mountains. If you care to read it you can click here: http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2012/05/04/features/conversations--monasticism-in-the-mountains/234513.html

India Tour, Part 4; Ajanta Caves, Pune, Global Pagoda

Back in India, Part 4

Panorama view of the Ajanta Caves taken from,  

'The Viewpoint'

From Ahmedabad our group of five took the overnight train to Bhusawal and arrived at 5:30 in the morning. We were met by a suv sent by Mr. Ramesh Bunsoor. On the drive back to Aurangabad we stopped at the viewpoint overlooking the famous Ajanta Caves. I had been to Ajanta many times over the last 38 years, but I never tire of beholding the magnificent  location and sight of the caves.
We also stopped at the Lokuttara Buddha Vihar to admire the beautiful meditation hall.
I spent three last days in Aurangabad before driving to Pune to spend two days. I gave two public talks and meditation class in Pune and had a leisire day to visit the small Buddhist Caves at Bedse, about fifty kilometers from Pune. From Pune I was driven to Mumbai for my final two days before flying off to Kathmandu, Nepal.


Close ups of the Ajanta Caves starting from the main entrance

Main entrance to Caves below right; The rainy season, July-September, offers the more splendid views of the caves with several waterfalls and lush greenery.

Different caves have more or less of rock cut Buddha images, a chaitaya and many paintings.

White color on rock face is where water runs down in the rainy season.

Caves numers 26, 25, 24; One of these has a large recumbent Buddha image

Cul de sac at end of caces with waterfall pool (in rainy season); I enjoyed many refreshing dips here in previous visits and even slept overnight in the low cave behind the pool. 

Lokuttara Buddha Vihar; located betwwen Ajanta and Aurangabad

Buddha images to to blessed by Paritta chanting

Chanting Paritta at the Buddha Lena Vihar, Aurangabad

With monks from Pune at the first Vihar outside of Pune started by Dr. BR Ambedkar;
From left: Ven. Mahanagaratna, Ven. Sugath and Ven. Nagosh

The approach to the Bedse Caves

Main Bedse Cave with Chaitaya

With the caretaker of the caves

Approach over the water to the Global Pagoda

The Global Vipassana World Pagoda outside Mumbai

Inside the World's largest stone made dome; seats 10,000 vipassana meditators with revolving teacher's seat in the middle

With Ven. Ananda outside the Old Portuguese Chuirch in Mumbai 

Salvation by Vipassana or Christ

Notice the Buddhist influence?

The End of Tour in India

Note:

When you read this post I have already finished five days trekking and am now in Namche Bazzar, high in the Himalaya of Nepal. After two days rest I will begin the Three Passes Trek around Mt. Everest. I am making this trek with a German friend, Attila Joo.