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Yak attack
Daisy and Kat cautiously inch their way up the dusty Himalayan track, nervously eying the yak which has taken a sudden interest in them. Roused from munching happily on the grass verge above by the sound of chattering voices it is now stalking them. It plods slowly up the hillside keeping pace with them.
Its bell jingles melodically disguising its potential for harm with its huge muscular girth and fearsome horns. Our yak fun continues on our Everest Base Camp trek day ten.
Everest Base Camp trek day ten
Rogue yaks
This is just one of the many rogue yaks we have passed on the mountainside today. It seems the yaks are on strike! There is a group lumbering awkwardly through the heather on the steep hillside. Others randomly roam the trail or hide in the forest lining the track.
It seems our fascination for these animals knows no bounds. They can however be a little worrying. When a pack of 8 – 10 lurch awkwardly towards us bearing gas bottles, expedition bags and all host of paraphernalia on their backs it can be a little daunting. Occasionally they need a little nudge to prevent their horns spearing you, but otherwise they are pretty harmless (or so we think). I definitely experience a few hair-raising moments in their presence.
It seems they may be just as nervous of us however as earlier in the day we had disturbed two baby yaks grazing. In our enthusiasm to capture them on film we scared the bejeesus out of them! Maybe this huge yak is mummy yak coming to eek revenge!
Pet yak
It later turns out that, in fact, Kat and Daisy had decided that the yak (Fred, apparently) was to be their new pet. When the first yak gave up the ghost and stopped following them, they weren’t impressed. They later befriended another yak (Jeff) with the same goal. Sadly, this isn’t a Disney story with a happy ending and that yak soon got bored too.
Just part of the trekking experience in the Himalayas. So many little amusing moments that we will look back on with smiles in years to come.
Celebrations in Namche
By the end of the day, we have descended a further 1,000 metres and I feel reborn. It is strange how on the way up I felt terrible at this altitude. Having been so much higher now, this altitude feels so pleasant. I even feel ready for a beer! My first drink in ten days could be entertaining.
Ironically, we head to the Hungry Yak in Namche in the evening and actually stay up beyond 9pm for a change!! Let me tell you, an Everest Base Camp trek is not the place to indulge your party animal instincts!!
Yak shopping
For those who wish to have a souvenir of their yak adventures, sadly a pet is not a real possibility. However, you can purchase yak hats, blankets and shawls to bring back to the UK. They are super soft and fluffy and will keep your memories of yak fresh for a long time. Thankfully, they smell somewhat better than the yak poo we had to avoid on a daily basis during our trek too.
Fast facts:
Pherice (4,410m) to Namche Bazaar (3,343)
Distance travelled:
20 km
Trekking time:
10 hours
Overnight digs:
Back to the wonderful Sherpaland Hotel with en-suite bathrooms, electricity, free wi-fi and comfortable rooms.
Day ten route
Read more:
Here are the other updates in the Everest Base Camp series.
Everest Base Camp trek – day one, day two, day three, day four, day five, day six, day seven, day eight and day nine
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Why Everest Base camp?
Although we have now reached our fundraising target for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, if you can spare any money to help their cause please visit our justgiving page.
