We are starting from the Lemosho gate and going the long way around the mountain. That gives us more time to acclimate to the altitude. The first days hike starts in the afternoon and we don’t go very far, to Big Tree Camp. Just getting warmed up.

Photo gallery includes the last cold beer for a while, the day before we set out! And the pile of local currency we’ll need to tip our guides and (20!) porters. More on this later. But each bill is less than 5 bucks so that’s why it’s such a stack.