30 years ago: 1 May 1982, Everest Trek day 12, Kharte to Ringmo

Saturday 1st May 1982:  Kharte to Ringmo (7 miles)

I’m not sure why but I didn’t sleep too well.  I had boiled eggs for breakfast ans was on the trail by 07:20.  I’m now heading west and will continue to do so all the way to the end of the trek and Kathmandu.  I walked until 17:00 when I arrived at the Apple House in Ringmo (9200 ft).  It was another long day’s walk but in nice conditions (no rain, pleasant temperature).  The distance covered seemed quite meagre but I had to descend 3000 ft from Kharte to cross the Dudh Kosi and then climb 5000 ft up to the Tragshindu Pass (9800 ft) before dropping into Ringmo on the other side.  The trail passed through some good patches of forest, with some nice birds seen including White’s Thrush and a male and two female Kalij Pheasants.  Despite its encouraging name, the food in the Apple House was poor.

Birds recorded:  Kestrel 1, Black Francolin h, Kalij Pheasant 3, Rufous Turtle Dove 10, Common Hawk Cuckoo 1, Indian Cuckoo h, Common Cuckoo 3, Oriental Cuckoo h, Collared Pigmy Owl h, Fork-tailed Swift 4, Great Barbet h, Blue-throated Barbet h, Grey-headed Woodpecker 1, Asiatic House Martin 2, Olive-backed Pipit 10, Grey Wagtail 1, Long-tailed Minivet 4, Scarlet Minivet 1, White-cheeked Bulbul 6, Black Bulbul 10, Rufous-breasted Accentor 1, Grey Bushchat 10, River Chat 1, Blue Whistling Thrush 15, White’s Thrush 1, Grey-winged Blackbird 1, Chestnut-headed Tesia 1, Golden Spectacled Warbler 4, Grey-hooded Warbler 15, Ashy-throated Leaf Warbler 2, Beautiful Niltava 2, Verditer Flycatcher 1, Ultramarine Flycatcher 4, Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher 2, Grey-headed Flycatcher 2, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler 1, Jungle Babbler 1, Streaked Laughingthrush 5, Red-headed Laughingthrush 2, Chestnut-tailed Minla 1, Black-capped Sibia 15, Stripe-throated Yuhina 1, Whiskered Yuhina 2, Red-headed Tit 2, Green-backed Tit 5, Black-lored Tit 2, White-tailed Nuthatch 2, Green-tailed Sunbird 5, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker 1, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker 5, Long-tailed Shrike 1, Bronzed Drongo 2, Gold-billed Blue Magpie 1, Grey Treepie 2, Large-billed Crow 50, Common Myna 1, Tree Sparrow 2, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch 3, Scarlet Rosefinch 2.

the view north up the Dudh Kosi towards Namche.  Lukla airstrip will be half way up the right hand side of the photo

view west from Kharte, Tragshindu near the top of the far hill side was my target for the day.

forest north of Jubing

the trail near Jubing

Tragshindo looking south-east

Tragshindo

primulas above Tragshindo

looking east towards Kharte from above Tragshindo

Ringmo