Like the rest of the habitations up the Mera Peak valley, Kharka, is here for one purpose only to accommodate the ever increasing number of expeditions heading for Mera Peak and Baruntse. So basically it’s a small village of Lodgers and Tea Houses. As we are here fairly early in the season there are only about four open. The one Cooks chosen is great, not anywhere near Raddison standard, but after a tent, I can assure you, it’s far better than any Raddison at this specific moment in time.

The reason we’re staying at the lodge is that the camping ground is under 20cm of snow, so rather than go to all the effort of clearing a space for the tents, it seemed easier to stay at the lodge. And I have to tell you it’s exhausting work clearing snow at this altitude, especially watching someone else doing it!!!

We’ve walked through snow nearly all day, sometimes up to 1m deep, but as I said in an earlier blog there is another expedition in front of us, so they’ve done the hard work and broken the trail. As I wasn’t expecting to walk through snow all day, I hadn’t put my gaitors in my rucksack….conclusion very wet boots and feet. However at present I’m sat in the Lodge next to a wood burning heater feeling extremely ‘toastie’ (how I hate that word), but I thought it might bring a smile to Colin, Stephen, Brita and Matthew. Most importantly my socks and boots are drying rapidly.

I suppose it’s a shame that now we’re on the main route to Mera Peak then our campsites/accommodation has moved away from the friendly local homes, where we would sit next to the wood fire, with the family in their smoke filled kitchen and listen to the laughter and chatter as the host family and their guests exchanged banter and songs. The good side of being in a Lodge, is being able to breath without inhaling smoke that has no means to escape and still warm……but I think the former has more to recommend it. An insight that I’ve never really experienced before.