Approaching the turnoff to Quomolungma Nature Preserve

The earth rears up as you approach the largest mountain on earth

Climbing up to the Pang La pass

View from the Pang La towards Everest, unfortunately hidden in the clouds

The slopes leading up to the Pang La are covered in Blue Poppy (Meconopsis)

Fields of barley

Large herds of goats are found everywhere

(photo by Susan & Markus Bonn)

A small reconstructed monastery on a hill above our campsite in Passum

(photo by Jonell Kraus )

Everest appears out of the morning mists

and Makalu....

(photo by Jonell Kraus )

This teahouse on the hike in to Rongbuk was a lifesaver for me...

(photo by Jonell Kraus )

The fabled Rongbuk Monastery

Chomolungma hovering in the background like a ghost...

Sleeping monk

Yak horns and mani stones

(photo by Paola Vecchiolla )

The Sierra Clubbers

(photo by Susan & Markus Bonn)

Yours truely on the steps outside the Rongbuk Monastery. I can hardly believe I was there

Monks praying inside the rebuilt Rongbuk Monastery. I couldn't keep tears out of my eyes

The only English they know is "money"

Everest appears out of the afternoon mists...

...and glows in the evening light

At the end of the hike out fom the top of the Pang La pass