Everest Khumbu Panorama

An Everest Panorama from Kala Pattar including Lhotse, Nuptse and the Khumbi Icefall

Looking back over the numerous expeditions that I have made to The Himalayas during a lifetime of mountaineering and photography, the Khumbu Valley in Nepal undoubtedly features very prominently in my memories. I have visited Gorak Shep and climbed to the summit of Kala Pattar many times with a variety of cameras and, thankfully, often in excellent weather. Most of these visits have been in late autumn or early winter, usually late in the afternoon. On two occasions I have also been fortunate to have been able to stand on the summit of Kala Pattar alone, undistracted and undisturbed, free to enjoy the majesty of the scene and become 'at one' with the mountains and the environment.

This image was captured late one afternoon in December when all around was frozen; other visitors had retreated down to Lobuche, and I was left alone with my Fuji GX617 panoramic camera and this panoramic view of Everest before me. Sherpa Pasang joined me just after 4pm and helped me switch lenses with my frozen and less nimble fingers. Punctuated between periods of frantic activity taking as many images as I could possibly manage, I left myself moments of tranquility to fully appreciate my situation and surroundings.