Ama Dablam by Moonlight

I have been to Nepal a few times, the latest of which was October 2010. We had trekked and photographed in the Annapurna Region in the spring and decided to head for the Everest area in the Fall. Quite dramatic differences in the experience.

I had admired Michael Andersons images from this area before, and always felt Ama Dablam was such a beautiful peak. Our goal for this trip was not to follow the hoards to Everest Base Camp or the popular Everest view point of Kallapattar, but the area of small lakes that overlook the Khumbu valley from the slopes of Laboche Peak.

The monsoon had broken the week before we arrived in Nepal, and we expected great conditions. The weather however, had different plans. We got lots of rain, low cloud, and in three weeks, only 2 or 3 days of really good night photography weather.

This shot was taken from Tuhkla (various spellings!) - located at about 4650m, and where the fun starts, with steeper terrain and lower oxygen levels. We met a fair number of altitude victims here, forced to descent for the sake of their health.

A glorious night, stood on a small hill overlooking a little group of lodges, packed with aspiring climbers, victorious ascenders, or defeated retreaters.

D3x 24-70