At 19,200 feet, the oxygen levels are significantly lower than at sea level, which can cause various issues like:
Dryness in the throat or other altitude-related discomfort
They’re likely attributing how they’re feeling—whether it's tiredness, lightheadedness, or difficulty speaking (e.g., losing their voice)—to the challenges of being at such a high elevation. The exclamation "It’s 19,200 ft!" emphasizes how extreme the altitude is and helps explain why they’re affected.
Yes, the heigh altitude and low oxygen is in fact the biggest problem. As I wrote in my previous post about the trek, often people stay at villages a few days to acclimatize, doing small hikes up and down again to adapt to the altitude. Ascending to fast can result in, what is called altitude sickness.
There are 3 high altitude levels or actually 4 including the Death Zone (which is the top of Everest, not Everest Basecamp)
As you can see the height he mentioned in his post of 19.200 ft (8.500 m) is just in the extreme altitude level. This sounds maybe a bit scary, but perhaps it's better to look at it in more detail, or actually how their trek evolved regarding altitude
Starting point was Chheskam, which has an elevation of 1,910 metres (6,266 feet). From there the journey went via the Hunku Khola valley following the new Mahakulung Muddhi-Kongme Dingma Trail.
Kongme Dingma elevation is 4.800m (15.748 feet). This part is gradually ascending as the trail went through the Hunku Khola valley.
From Kongme Dingma they went over the Amphu Laptsa and into Khumbu. Amphu Laptsa is a pass which includes rappelling and this is where the video and the pic are taken imo. Amphu Laptsa is at 5,845 metres (19,177 feet) which matches what he wrote in his post.
From Amphu Laptsa the trek went via Chhukhung (4,730 metres/15.518 ft) above sea level ending up in Lobuche (4.910 metres (16,100 feet) elevation yesterday.
Today they planned to go to Gorakshep (5.160m/16,929ft). Only 5km and (only) 250m ascending, abt. 2 hours hike would look easy, but it’s at 5 km height! Every step at this elevation (due to low oxygen levels) is several times tougher compared to the same at the sea level.
The trail goes along the Khumbu Glacier
Gorakshep is like the Himalayan version of Grand Central Station. People are either using it as a brief resting spot before trekking straight to Everest Base Camp or overnighting here either because they will set off of Everest Base Camp the following the day. Some have just returned from Base Camp and are doing the reverse. Yaks are coming and going with tons of gear and supplies for expedition preparations. Helicopters are zipping in and out – some carrying scenic flight passengers who prefer to see the region by air, while others are being emergency airlifted out of the areas and back down to lower altitude.
As was reported there are still a few more adventures to come…. I expect one of those will be EBC and probably some more iconic places.
Though, just a few days ago it was reported how some moron defaced the iconic rock at EBC 😣
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