Surviving the Night at 5,164m
Gorakshep is the final settlement on the Everest trekking trail. It sits on a frozen lakebed of sand. It is cold, dusty, and high. This is your launchpad for both Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
Sleeping at 5,164m is difficult. You might experience Cheyne-Stokes breathing (gasping for air). It is normal but uncomfortable. Drink plenty of water and rest. You are now in the realm of the Mount Everest expedition.
Lodges here are basic and crowded. Food prices are high because everything is carried by porter or yak. The dining halls are warm, but bedrooms are freezing.
From here, it's a 2-3 hour walk to Base Camp and back. It is the busiest place in the high Khumbu. Everyone here shares the same goal: seeing the Everest summit.
Most people stay one night. Get in, see the sights, and descend to sleep better. Gorakshep is a means to an end, but an unforgettable one.
