Mt. Everest

The highlight of our Tibet trip was visiting Mt. Everest. It took two full days in our van to get to the base camp.  Since the elevation is so high there is very little vegetation, but the terrain was very interesting and had it's own beauty. 

Note the herd of sheep. 

The last (of 10) checkpoints to the base camp. 

Our first view of Mt. Everest in the distance was obscured by clouds. 

At the base camp with Mt. Everest in the background. The elevation of the first base camp is 17,000 ft. We stayed in a large comfortable tent there with the rest of our group. 

We had a great time singing, dancing, laughing and playing cards with our friends. 

Note:  it's very hard to dance when the oxygen level is so low!

We even managed to shop and barter at the base camp!

The clouds continued to clear until we had perfect views of the mountain.

The next morning we drove to the area where the climbers begin their ascent.

Glacier remains are scattered all over the base camp area with various sizes of boulders and a river of glacier water. The area is barren but peaceful and beautiful. 

The summit is 29,000 ft. The highest spot on the earth. 

On our trip back to Shigaze we stopped to admire the Yangzhouyong Holy Lake. The lake is used solely for burials and is peaceful and beautiful. 

A new friend sharing her goat for 5 Yuan (about $1). 

We had one more night in Lhasa before heading back to Guangzhou. 

Great place for people watching!

One last view of the Potala Palace. 

We will never forget Tibet.  It was quite the adventure!

Now we're back in the good old USA for 2 months of kids, grandkids, family and friends. We'll be back in China in September for more escapades!