Day 8: Pangboche to Dingboche

Starting Point: (27.8587, 86.7895)
End Point: (27.8986, 86.8314)
Total Miles: ~4 miles (3–4 hours)

Each day comes with challenges and today was no different. I mentioned yesterday that I was having some issues. A long night of coughing and no sleep meant starting the morning in a less than ideal position.

I talked to my guide, laid it out and said that I am concerned about my well-being. I have had symptoms of AMS, but I am now bordering on something much more serious.

I knew that Dingboche was my best option for an evacuation. I would have had to walk one way or another, so I made it here today - but just barely.

That is why, for my own health, I have made the very difficult decision to do a medical evacuation. I don’t know if it will be tonight or tomorrow - but I cannot risk putting myself at a 50% chance of death by pushing forward.

I still have gotten a lot out of this trip. Base camp was just a destination, but everything else - those are the things that have really mattered to me.

I will keep you posted on what happens from here, but I want to be honest.

It breaks my heart, but we have to make tough decisions in the moment.