Dawa, our lead Sherpa, at Everest base camp, 20Oct2011.  Very cold on the Kuhmbu glacier. All the best pics are still in my camera.

We climbed Kala Patar (about 18,400′) the day before and got spectacular views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. Arduous climb after so many days at altitude, cold nights, and long daily hikes. Arduous for us rookie trekkers, that is. Gave me a whole new respect for what real mountain climbers bear up to for months on end.