Trail Running Nepal’s Three Passes (again), 2023
After our near miss running 3 Passes through Nepal’s Everest Region in 2018, we knew we had to return for another try. The question of Kim’s form remained after having gone through cancer treatment (link). We had done a ton of running for the Sierra Trail Runs book and overall she was strong and consistent. But cancer leaves a lingering fear of “what if?” For 3 Passes, we had to cross three 5000+ meter passes in a place we knew we were prone to health issues.
In 2023, we arrived as strong as we’d ever been, spent just the right amount of time acclimating, and then, along with most everyone else there, promptly got COVID. COVID at 4700 meters is less than ideal.
Once “recovered,” we set out on a snowy morning that was supposed to be all sun. Slowed down by the snow, we arrived at Gokyo, our previous stopping point, with little time to get over the third pass before dark and what appeared to be a brewing evening snow storm. We moved as fast as possible to get over the 5350 meter pass before darkness and snowfall engulfed us.
Near the top, Kim looked back over her shoulder and her eyes popped out like a cartoon character, “Look!” I turned around and saw an image that I’d love to present here. It was Everest, in the day’s last light, glowing purple and orange, framed perfectly in a hole in the clouds. By the time I tore the camera from my vest pocket, it was gone.
Turning our attention back to the last meters of Renjo La, we crossed the third pass in swirling snow and started our long descent with headlamps lighting our steps.
It felt like we’d completed an unfinished book and I wondered if I’d ever go back to the Khumbu Valley, a place I’ve spent a huge amount of time and made a lot of friends. As I grow older, the thought of not returning to some of my most cherished places scares me.
Since then, I’ve been back to the Khumbu two more times…
Camera: Sony RX100
Posing Scale: 4 – I knew the exact shot I wanted and so we spent some time getting it just right. The morning snow and frost were a bonus.
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