Gorek Shep-Dzongla The trail becomes more silent, there are few if no seasonal grazing spots, few people local or otherwise are passed. The language of the trail once again changes - the color of rocks, the dirty glaciers of Cholatse closer and a peak-a-boo view of Lhotse over the steep foothills of Lobuche. Another base camp for a different route on Lobuche comes into view as Dzongla emerges off in the distance. Immediately I can tell there are more guesthouses, many more built since the last time I was here. The color of the many boulders and rocks shift; they seem almost rusty. We pass one with animal skulls perched on top. The rock colors change; deep browns are a stark contrast to the white boulders of Khumbu glacier. The heat of the sun makes the dusty trail seem longer. We’ve both run out of water and didn’t stop for lunch earlier. When we arrive in our guesthouse we order food immediately and settle in for a cold evening as we prepare to trek over the pass in the morning. I find a copy of Into Thin Air and much to my dismay, read it until I fitfully fall asleep.