![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-gmEUDQkgYEyNrEg9fkwelpszLx-V6aZvDCHO52LvG066yDGOL0GqoyRKtnZYWvKx_E-WH_aW6E4Ktj4U4IDigX4HlbeBnQc0lmeUI_taBSXOK3KkB1r5-AAE0liJLuIy7oQ/s320/0216.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
The morning dawned with beautiful clear skies - a perfect day for trekking. I remember it was cool and calm, so the layers were reasonable - wool underlayer, trekking shirt, and a fleece jacket.
Before getting on the trail, we did a short tour of the monastery at Tengboche. This is one of the oldest monasteries (maybe the oldest) in the region.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnzLyq15cNE6nBOiqvHeOOA0g5nkaZFPztpyQYFCue8ZhQKykSlWIGO3oYT8ivi47Ez1gzCid0E0SkMVylZqRPPkcPbDIUrIPhr2LHiJMPuLawWZrIey-qXADheOt9lC6q5Zz/s320/492.tengboche+to+dingboche+%281%29.jpg)
BTW - I think this is the last time during the trek that I could be seen without my hat ;-), and it's one of the few pics Steve and I have of us together.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhW_R-CrzVJ_fwpZEWBLdP0zublmqsB8IpN6nRPoqLYITRXNaw3kIoSMNPwk2xxVDOgz4C5NzBPCgQC3X6YozYPSojtG8ttanMqGk81Le5JA0d1_CGP6Wq5AIlIGrWOxwZuxQ/s320/507.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Ceiling panels with mandalas. The shape of the mandala matches the view from above of the monastery or temple. I don't know if these represent Tengboche or other sites, or both.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3V8yo-TBQZGsuJJSBUx4Kjq9O3OvhghgL9j4dHZatpwmS144bpnuqB5xsaEVI10yTHh3XPfCQdZFoLFcdydAC6xTCLVxp0rTLMMHpTpMW_Z-VURrvQyQ6LIo4q1QMkkTaONir/s320/505.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
One of the buddhas inside the monastery.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoxNmdNAfaexSyyPkDTrOHy-gl5K14Ma4HG5U4_Nwj7km6oLjRatND5sV_7QxuZEAYpgpeaB62fIhhc8SJknSJNgx86vIR8VvIxMPMSijsnCV9pdHwW_PRHLgrP_ewAcd7xq_/s320/510.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
These wraps are used by the monks during their prayer sessions. It's rather cold inside, so I think these must be very welcome during the hours of prayer and meditation.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU16UroKrtKVMupdbXLRLWBs4_kFltfzxoCBp4YZ794t3sL1QKOFdorIfWkKo_1t0euABWZWrIphoS6twbhyphenhyphenpZTujyPhTDxHYDlq3ppV8ZDMY_iAf1b80PwX0y2Vhi2ZlXIq7_/s320/514.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
I've no clue as to the use of this item, but it is a beautiful object.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNQS2KO1MoBez7RDXP1pBuLHD-8-qPkIfxuJGBanpVwzo2t0LgOrVNPmkLe8s9zFwhJ4q5gX-cLBKTJQKIA9W7NWr1coVpvdjnOqSpazTTrYpEHLDl2_QpkcyDgouqlEVRWj-/s320/518.tengboche+to+dingboche+%281%29.jpg)
Another shrine within the main building.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS2dVladBAxOFAOPlivjPUEzsa82mteghTw7x2C1iiLais65GvCsyjQ6wHv_fS1iYcPnxlJ_gC51eKVh4kq-JE63Mai1oNEp0INOrLHVtJlUXrWv4HXucZr8XFeVSGj5lucNi/s320/522.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Butter candles line the walls of the main room.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxghT6RjaItNzgSRp51g09D1Wz_1G4uQT3dLHLUgP12-RCgtZO0HQlqyCjwou9O4hxt7e-tnWyv79l11rSf0nYjGpd5QyMOnW9qEh2cEDU41QMu6TX0lPrpe6sxvRSEahp7v_/s320/0219.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
A view of the mountains surrounding Tenboche.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ibCvjYnPA0Ra8f64rmNLj3fvx7hOSZwx4Pk2uNgq1XqU3gFL4vCrXPDq-I-nrUhE3-WHY6J3UMvagomFMF1J-62MIOWN5gKIA9RInyEU4ykrgSAt3I5At1S4BRZe2kgPK-ZR/s320/0220.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Gathering together for the beginning of the day's trek.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERIjrAJmSkPRAj9pLRDyqz8fppt-a6Ank3LEBCmA_m0Ac95nkkctKo3oLPuWdX0mxsJD9C-AYVgkAzMQDxoUQOwWEmJKaTktCW8WInyQB0WNpqCtrTi3jtTiWBoPHJ0wVeIw7/s320/0223.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Tengboche sits atop a ridge, so the first part of the day was downhil through a grove of trees that line the path. The canopy was just starting to fill in.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXSdW_s9J3Pf6UOOUsIo7Yo_8esskI-_mwG0j8cfMyKgy0Ca0ykQZLiVHgL6R-ORr9Oa4Ac3Kb849Vw57jFK6rv9KjRxIw4mYsquxsPks4_MsZGvW5PuVPSg8LY1wbK3cDDTw/s320/0226.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
There were a lot of birch trees with interesting bark.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gnTMiFjPgD6QS71Xl3TvkOWi9hu_fIfR5KdSyW1qgemSRHvI4uXPD9apCAqWKjIOQca8lnBL3YUXuW2Np5j67haj9hneLsw1xFmlOrk5Tv0VBCvQJvh1hAJHGgtkpsqWosQy/s320/0236.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
The path was also lined with birds singing in the morning sun. I finally got a picture of this one - I marked it in my Birds of Nepal book, but I don't have that close at hand as I'm typing this entry.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OlyIAF5ILaVPgRwuJoC26XgFZGP04wgqTHCZu_XZY3OT8Sa0dHzkFH3zVX68CwKxXVhKoruQRBCOXMdf65sIu1XUTEnj20-jlX4hbSsgYmCYYzYrKXCtDdTZr0U1LSiByEZw/s320/0240.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Ditto for this one.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLufrp1WCdrMMD2eDrV9LTbAtl3iiYngdx40TwOWqtaE9z6f-uy3cs6GnvdlwjVBFsf8El3aZTRX1Pk-QJmnkJMPzY6C8_lrprcnyrwyRdpzCBwAjo3CUX3xLAeWQM1c8zNig/s320/528.tengboche+to+dingboche+%281%29.jpg)
Some of my favorite lichens were found in this valley past Tengboche.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBr2jgYs5o8rbIsLmcnVtBCZNwUW-GslWg9z0n1I3Rcc-4HpscFxudGUiqCey9L1wCul9nMik9HOVAnELJuVeCfrODJVZ1MAGBnQnuF1pleY47Uhh38OWhc10irjABrHSy_9x/s320/532.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
My all time favorite lichen - how cool is that?
BTW - lichens are symbiotic organisms, consisting of a fungus and algae.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPu-K4Yo27H2lnESJZ8EmY8p6qBiw6L5t3O136MapI0n5Qc3FBBFO2iJk1U4XM5aWc_DUgngyhANs3HKjVuGsIzBMufnEyPb5szp3jpQZ6DVcD4QtHcWs2jEEIHwU3NDZCNIy/s320/526.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Breakfast time?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sr7l5We6jxeNacOmcllpteb4wcFIhGA-vrye7Y0D0-xY6bxuD7gLMsvwej0QR9hkZYsLwUAI22_pztxXvYhyc0FIws_uKsNkfKDyFh_wyNaiHNczYP4ypWsW0CL8nx9NgvT9/s320/540.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
I loved the petite irises lining the path. These were less than six inches tall, but the flowers were about three inches across - pretty spectacular.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZWW-QYRMPONOhq7eX3vVH7xHfEJC4kdiR-OfhhcLN5GukGtXdyCDRXnInE7cfbeghuwmJDMnvQBID6Q6YAiQKyujaojvDzMQ99bcLSNmPqvXRI8xVScF-A7EqsUeHwFa84L7/s320/547.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Another of the four dozen or so species of primrose in the region.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRNGlXySq3qGt9mZcWHfy4nfgUPO93n6v9xL2oQG1aGNGs1CFvyNQ41LLTqVIUKsYd42TgyNjTzy3Wd0SdxwOx54So9UztSKHTTq0Y7mdRiaist7ueAoUb0SxlenGukyaQ1H2/s320/0256.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Porters are the unsung heroes of trekking - hard working people who make it all possible for tourists.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsSx-_8Vp5USCAI9vTuRj_aMakQuLv8ONvavq89N_idC_SOQi48PNqk4JGO3cCEN5W1keL7wNdu_6g-ovbqFDwCPh1OqIepQH9THkNMnBJ1d2VQjwHbxRXVi8DMZRl4nh5uzn/s320/0257.tengboche+to+dingboche+%281%29.jpg)
Ama Dablam dominated the vistas on this day of trekking.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOi4lor_sgQq0Vgu-7FIyPNQ_lFp6sLGXRvoRdSJwygRmBXqyMsQ-C-0cl3BBInWwXirNEQSWTGjld_2dvHoKXguLxRHh2GmV6p9Pbzq1RgPcvfKGMplyTgUMOTJQd1vZX9Do/s320/0260.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
I found this rock fold to be very interesting. It's a good indicator of the tectonic forces at work in the region to push the Himalayan range so high into the sky.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff76lofdnp_3XTMX6sdVWQx_Ukfne771jlynpxM7zjSbEBSMPhUC9wJgmc5ohmJI0AN-wIAF19hhINmRDXzVs16zAbhS7u3JAGki9sa0CFzrmYChf7gNtZedJRgVjR70YupvH/s320/0261.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
The stupas along this section of trail look like they've seen better days.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisA9TZoUSLCaovf2pU0UZUJ12_lVj1hJIbj6fOKsg-MM_o1kVKH6XeFoFlPMT8SFAZ3090NE7Mpak59gWwAcVPUON5OJBIH-BQJjM-4ZMhye9xWMEgZanEuVMitCzysJXBpg_R/s320/0264.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
As we climbed toward 14,000 feet, the biome changed from rhododendron/pine forest to juniper/barberry scrub. We lost the tree line during this day of trekking, and entered the alpine zone.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5ogxP9WLQADwpb9OqLYZZlkpKStBeqLIr3MTFXTNfcgy0RDTdbMZ7uzyMgZBlRSkWwzMBwqLyZvXif3oTK9Wai9dgNYhBJcwk7JtoHT6I3nSbBcZpI0hVDCMmiFONpbdo1O_/s320/0266.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
An entry gate into the next valley system.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsguxntAioNBXr6wyC5g3jLlaTUrw_YR3UmCmwaGPhxqSDk9k6kQqkKBcAMc_Kc4P1sgvm3d_P6CQpOsLqTUxOtFiYKC3-jkvENNRDPddjSYw301Il5BpEeiEXpNwMAtEaB6t/s320/0267.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
This was the day when I really started to notice the dominance of glacial scarring and the amazing amount of material that is moved by glaciers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLNqb2OPRzGZillZVWTq_jHsno2vjIhQx_53a-PTIG6PID6N2WauTcjDznd1lDRU1cqMfHeINbK3-DmI_K_RoBgUSb5LWY_-cOTCh0qLPnmmSMYL2iBPcQpo-lqBmZCS_Kmfo/s320/0269.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
For example, the patchwork of stone-enclosed fields in this valley are atop a terminal glacial moraine. You can see where the moraine ends at the right hand side of this image.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz461A_EHE4VWlrlcF5hpGMwlpbFsCFahxICzOsdldIQAex2MOstEEDRj_d7pK21TfxI45EVjpMOAqj0k2O2ZqGFlt8SS073gGnRq9Ypf0633MooEhDFo7d0Ga6ToinLr3Hhf/s320/554.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
The afternoon skies filled with ominous clouds. I figured we were in for some snow, given how cold it was and how high up we were in the mountains. We were still a couple or more hours away from Dingboche at this point, too.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5HDW4Ve2UbvY5eeciMAHjC9DFOsAsdfA0Bs22YCj3iaBkT82AQzTC00jGNQa3JemL0CHS6EjMkrLS8ZeQG_gBlwc1d2jbK1ZylBafc3s_6HSIEKJ__kevSBuUmaj4fc5HRfa/s320/556.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
The path isn't nearly so wide as what we had on the trail leading to Tengboche, so getting out of the way of yak caravans was always a bit tricky. You scramble up slope to give them room to pass.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH4MFjcvDObNhk3BTeLJuKprmxJX8huRNTtRc8qkViBVhwDp9JpybA56crcWEixeGwYsgWgnUFDeP8foQ-IDkibjbIWVi2eBbmTqVlM4pODjX_8OioOA3gU9zrmRVKtKboCHH/s320/563.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Time for a rest break.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznV7v7s3Pt24DgphVVEWWW2jISVyVQvqoTweaTJvUHYXvmbi1GnYe7lUOFqnIE5W3d2H7yPA7TqsNQ6JAJSjzy1p26yAUcrN6INjAS4eI6GtkzqTY8oa364WqrbA62jA3VVCB/s320/565.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
We didn't seem to pass through many villages up here. Stone is a resource that is put to good use in these settlements.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHsR8iBQCZqmSzxooTJp0q2lLgXpYMbJ7fTMX71nTjGbOZ2nvi1VHb7rADTPHlSI7vOyxt4V3hG4WQEd5WCA-_v_Sd4nOv3RC4ZcSLE5dU2JljK1S94Xk9pDk_FH2uxeWEtlP/s320/566.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
The alpine biome is dominated by juniper and barberry up here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi1j_R15npkDz5Yqp-LM9zjf9RZbMkRvWCPrj6gyjKrAJMYpGSPqu7LmpRhtpgnNYmZe7ry2gdFymch5BIK2Rwu7dixSBMYVH48EhzYfbfRhA8gqjonPeNuGsF5g3Eu5jPH-_/s320/IMG_0270+%281%29.jpg)
I always find it interesting to see the native habitat of some of our most popular ornamental plants.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oAstCCwC5KO2QJzmLE6InAnSYwq6WQUZdJOhDN0Zt00yQqY6tef3SrJ8_RMgufCkJm-ZL-7sKW3UwyBRDwCosXKH041yxr8SGVYZ4MsIFU046cmoigEieICwIKn5w8lN6Pbq/s320/IMG_0271+%281%29.jpg)
That's someone's tent, and perhaps a dining tent.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKqlEAP-sSs0EmKRHr4KmwsdoMw9IN-HPF7FpxaQi_HM5ald-PqYcuPISrVBdxYXbJlRAUTnj3dNErNNBHXkDW8eAhmLTMlqp7uWNefe52kI45nC52zEl6NY4jWcQ4Onntjz4/s320/570.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Ah, another river crossing. It had started to snow in earnest by the time Steve and I reached this bridge.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBxEzhKejfAbzTIw8xIdVwsC3YpRSGIDO4aEyn4U2y_X66XKh6Jewn7RRBEQMgIXj3CsMO4-XEF95S8BgqXOdgzir6Pq95jp-iOsgqVhxHfafnDOSm5L9Sl34_siGCSeG58Tj/s320/andi.bridge.tengboche+to+dingboche.jpg)
Ummmm, it was slippery, and a bit intimidating. However, it was pretty short in length and I just made sure my footing was secure. This and the next three pics are ones that Steve took. I put my camera away with the snow coming down so heavily.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXfQGLo5aXYkZHtd52T0Gb0qJ-kg4R0Fa2UXsq7KHL50hqSsx-bMGJG4YJ2HhHywB0LZLgvWpMTxSr1ZfXVJAKon4H-8BBTT6pujm6BGvzZ9jlrEeVeJsI4qipDa_Q53I84BE/s320/andi.near+dingboche.jpg)
Another ridge to climb and traverse, this time in the snow. I actually enjoyed walking in the snow since it wasn't very windy and the snow wasn't getting deep. However, this was a sign of what we were in for during the next few days.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGyH_Dno6zu_MENXKebUDw01QS3tDfIg1r43r9vndY-jQq67XwsJ6JXOJUUX4CI4VAT6NGKk6lFNQTJHXLOpiDwcmJrTLBzvM18gX0Q93jloUryYU_ncM20HKCr1WJV4L_IOg/s320/near+dingboche.jpg)
We're pretty close to Dingboche here, near the top of the ridge that borders the village.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNvXTsT1UFmwVqM_KntXHuHwmojwNzUeXf9U_tie5FQrPyBQ7KwjIqfY4r3iHs6xyNVIUcZby3j0Gl11cgy30fu0x6VJ53uB1MoIKJKAqX1SZYwMDhirOpSZ8j0oPoZovLp1M/s320/near+dingboche.1.jpg)
And there it is - our campsite for this night and two additional ones (one more than planned due to being snowed in).
I have other pictures of May 11th posted here: Tengboche to Dingboche
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