Khari Khola - Paiya (2730m asl)
Day 6. 8.12.22

We left Khari Khola just before 8am (a new record for us!) and climbed up to Bupsa sitting high on the ridge. We passed some landslips and had to cross one tricky landslide of loose moraine. Sundar, my guide, would not allow me to cross so we had to take a tortuous detour around which I can only imagine was worse than the actual landslide itself. We stopped for lunch at Kari La with fine views of the mountain range looking up through the valley from our high vantage point. My knee is considerably better today with the help of ibuprofen and not having too many steep descents. We followed the rough road in places that made for a welcome respite as we zigzagged across the many spurs up the Dudh Kosi valley.We can see the planes make there way to and from Lukla which is getting noticeably closer now.
We came to a more serious landslide just after Sonam Lodge and I was forced to take the road above it which was a tough climb. It was hard to call it a road as it was more of a slippery rock strewn path, muddy and covered in mule poo. There has been a constant stream of mule trains in both directions and giving way was the only safe course. By 4:30pm we made it to another very comfortable lodge in Paiya. I was sore and exhausted but a bucket of warm water for a wash and sitting by the fire with a dinner of fried noodles and apple pie were a treat. Early to bed by 8pm after a game of cards and a glass of raksi.