Where Next: Khumbu, Tashi Labsta & Rolwaling (Second attempt!)

Unseasonal snow last October, the unseasonably cold snap in November and avalanches in Rolwaling meant I didn’t get to do the route I’d planned with Val last year to cross the Tashi Labsta* (5755 m) east to west, acclimatising in Khumbu on the eastern side and trekking out through the lovely Rolwaling valley on the western side. So I’m trying again this year. A few differences from last year: Val’s planning a different route in the Khumbu taking in Phortse (last visited on our return route from 2019’s Mera Peak – Amphu Lapsta – (but not) Island Peak trip) and Dragnag / Thagnak (where we stayed before crossing the Cho La Pass back in 2011 on the momentous Three High Passes to Everest), Gokyo’s Fourth Lake (Dhonak Tsho / Thonak Tsho, 4870m) and the Sumna La (5420m), so that we’ll be back in Khunde for Khunde Hospital‘s 60th Birthday celebrations. Then I’ll be heading west over the Tashi Labsta and into the Rolwaling on the itinerary mapped out for last year. I’ll be crossing the Tashi…