May 9: Homeward bound

Our intention was to get up early and walk up the nearby hill, Chukkung Ri, but after standing on far taller summits on either side of this hill (Pokalde and Island Peak) no one was motivated or interested in a 04:30am start to climb what one member derisively called the “slag heap”. Instead, we slept in and had a late breakfast. After breakfast the team began the long journey home. The first leg was from Chukkung to Pangboche. We were now back on the main route to Everest Basecamp and it was strange at first to see so many people. We arrived in Pangboche in the early afternoon and rested at the Namaste Lodge.