We woke this morning to low cloud after rain overnight, before the cloud slowly lifted to reveal a taste of the Himalayas, one peak after another rising out of the mist, giving everyone a glimpse of what was to come.

As it was our last morning together we gathered outside for a team photo before heading off at 8.30 for the long trek to Dole (4200mt).

The views on the way to lunch were breathtaking, soaring peaks descending to the valley floor on both sides with us zigzagging our way both up and down along a thin ridge, forest of rhododendron and pine splitting the pathway, shear drops to the raging river below.

We had morning tea at the Everest View tea house (3950mt), falsely advertised sadly as she was covered in mist, before cruelly descending back to 3600mt for our farewell lunch to the EBC crew, who we will see again briefly as our paths will cross in about a week.

The highlight of the day for Rachael was being able to get enough internet connection to be able to cheer home her mighty Tigers to a Grand Final win.
Out came the Tiger beenie for a photo opportunity with the Himalayas as a backdrop!
She is one happy camper!!

We had a leisurely lunch for about an hour, said our farewells, then started the long uphill slog to Dole. It was a beautiful walk thru the forest with some tough uphill sections, broken up with regular breaks to let Yak trains weave past, their singsong bell cry being a dead giveaway to their approach.

We finally made our way into Dole at about 4, the last hour or so in a slight drizzle.
It had been a fairly solid workout, which continued after a coffee and a quick check of our room, as Dawa Sherpa thought an acclimatising walk of about 300 meters up was needed!

In drizzle and gloom we trudged up the mountain, with regular breaks to acclimatise, before finally getting back to our lodge at about 5.30 for dinner and sleep.