Head torches, rain pants, and your walking sticks

Just for you Poppa B:

We set out from Thorong Phedi at about 4:15 am on our way up to the pass. It was cold, and dark (despite the nearly full moon), and did I mention cold? We needed to hydrate to try stave off acute mountain sickness but that's a rather daunting proposition when your water bottle is half frozen, just like your digits.



I donned Momma Bear's rain pants halfway up to the pass at a little tea house that had horse rentals for people unable to carry on without assistance. I thought the sun would warm things up but with the sun came the wind and it was readily apparent that every layer was necessary to avoid hypothermia. Did I mention it was cold? Thank goodness I had them!



Finally, these pictures were taken on a little ridge about halfway down from the pass, looking out over the Hidden Valley (hold the salad dressing jokes) when things were much much warmer:





Thanks so much for letting us borrow all that stuff. And yes, everything made it home safely. I'll hand deliver it all to you in a few weeks. Speaking of, can't wait to see everyone.