Enough about extracting surveillance photos from outlandish regions of the planet, let’s get back on the trail out of Khumjung. Most hikers will take the low road out of Namche and pass up the encounter with the Everest View Hotel and the village of Khumjung. I couldn’t say which is more challenging between the very steep route straight up, or the seemingly endless though more level trail out to the east and then north. That’s really a pointless topic to consider because you should just resign yourself to facing and overcoming never ending inclines anyway, especially the types that take you high up into the clouds, to soon slip down for a splash of the rushing river below, then back up. Regardless, once we get past Namche and Khumjung there is a nice rise up to Mong La, a brief break in the trail to sit down and gaze across the valley to Phortse. Mong La is at around 13,000 feet, and the trail down again to the river is 1,500 feet below. 1,500 feet up again on the other side brings you to the lower edge of Phortse village.