Bridges the Traffic Lights of the Everest Base Camp Trek

The last bridge before Gorak Shep, the last place with lodges before Everest Base Camp. That’s me and our porter guide just ahead.
Bridges are a common feature of the track as it crosses backwards and forwards over the magnificent roaring rivers snaking through the valleys.

The bridge at the meeting of the Khumbu Khola and the Inja Khola.
Most bridges are high cable suspension bridges.My first bridge at Chhepplung on our first trek (2013) and I can tell you I was very nervous crossing it. But the bridges carry lots of weight, porters carrying their loads, trekkers, yaks, donkey trains, sometimes the bridge can be full of donkeys. In fact the bridges act as a kind of traffic light on the EBC trek because the bridges are definitely one way. Trying to cross the opposite way to animals or other trekkers is not advisable.
Looking down at the lower bridge to Namche Bazaar on the climb to the higher bridge.





Yep the upper bridge is iconic bridge you see in the films which takes you to climb further to Namche Bazaar. And that’s my husband aka The Trainer – he was the reason I crossed all the bridges. And those scary bridges took us to all the wonderful places below.
With the help of Basanta our wonderful porter guide, of course. The Team below – me, the Trainer and the Porter on top of Kala Pattar in front of Everest with Base Camp
The Bridge List
- Chheplung (suspension)
- Thado Kosi Gaon (box bridge)
- At Phakding (suspension)
- At Tok Tok (small new stainless steel bridge)
- Near Bengkar (suspension)
- At Jorsale (suspension)
- Bridge to Namche Bazaar (suspension)
- Bridge before Tengboche (suspension)
- Bridge to Phortse ( instead of going via Tengboche) (suspension)
- One before Periche OR one before Dingboche (depending on your route).
- One small bridge at Dughla not suspension
- The last bridge before Gorak Shep – first photo
Another post about the bridges. and then there are the mountains ……
After the 2015 earthquakes a Japanese company assessed the structure of the bridges.
All the photos with the exception of the one with me wearing the pumpkin coloured pack are taken on our September – October 2015 Trek.
Wow this place is amazing
xx
https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/
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Yes it is amazing.
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I remember these bridges! Beautiful photos!
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Thanks Nicole.
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Wow! What an adventure! Amazing scenery. I admire anyone that dare to cross such bridges!
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Truly spectacular.
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I love looking a these photos Louise. I’m not sure I could do it again but I’m glad I managed to do it once. You are very brave and I love this post!!
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OMG. This type of Adventure can only happen in my Dreams. I’m shit scared of heights. How did you travel across that wickety wackety bridge !!!!!!!!!!!! What Huge Guts you people have.
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Thanks Deb.I’m sure you could do it it – all your bike riding builds all the right muscles.
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Fortunately I’m not scared of heights. The first bridge crossing was the worst because it was the first. Louise
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Lucky You. Every morning when I do my exercise of touching my toes, I remember your Blog Name and smile -“The Year I Touched My Toes”.
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🙂
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Just looking at your photos makes my stomach drop completely. Especially the ones where you see the rivers below. While I appreciate their natural beauty over a concrete ugly big structure, I am not sure I could do it. Fear of steep sheer drops! I need to go and lie down now.
Peta
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Sorry Peta, I don’t want to make anyone vomit or anything!
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Ha ha no worries…..
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I have been trying to send u comments! WordPress must be having problems. I read a few of your posts and enjoyed them! And your pics!
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Looks like it is working now. OH I know. I have to approve comments. Maybe I should turn that off? I go then all – i think. Now I know what you meant by the earlier comment. 🙂
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I would not think you have to do that. I am just thinking WP is acting up!! Hope your day is really nice or evening now!!
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Excellent.
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Oh, the clarity of the light and views of those impossibly tall mountains. Beautiful. Quite an experience going to the roof of the world.
Regards, John.
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We’re back from our travels in India, so it’s great to have the chance to catch up with yours. I love bridges and these are amazing. Thanks.
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Hi Peggy, I have been taking a very quick glimpse of all posts and want to go back and read. My four day a week job has been crazy for the last 2 months. Being a school we finish next week so I am looking forward to chilling out – reading, commenting and writing again. I will be in Canberra in early January and i will let you know in case we can catch up for a coffee, cauual meal, whatever. Waiting for the Trainer to arrive back now after a long year FIFO we are looking forward to some down time time -Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra (Thredbo to climb Kosciusko of course) and the NSW coast ( as yet unbooked, – what’s the chances) over the next four weeks- so if you you are around …. Louise
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Every bridge worth it I bet! Wonderful photos of the amazing landscape. The photo under this sentence: “And those scary bridges took us to all these wonderful places” is my favourite.
Alison
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Yes it is one of my favourites too Alison. Thanks for the comment.I’m a bit behind with my comments and reading at the moment, work is crazy.Hope you’re ok.
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We’re fine, loving Mexico’s heat. Merry merry.
Alison
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Those heights look crazy! I’m not sure I’d be able to walk on any of those bridges. 😦 You’ve captured the perils and beauty of those rugged landscapes. I’ve always wondered why the mountains have to be so tricky. Thanks for taking me there!
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You’re welcome. Yes the one Namche is very high.
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Are you over Canberra way now? We’ve been to-ing and fro-ing with the daughter and son-in-law who have been home from France. Staying put for a while now.
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Hi Peggy, We returned home from two nights in Canberra this afternoon. it was very rushed and we were tired from two nights in Thredbo and our 13 km walk to Kosciuszko ( we are out of condition ). My husband will be there for another six months so I will be up there again.I am sure we have anopportunity to catch up. I’m exhausted i need another holiday at home! Louise
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Glad you enjoyed your time in Thredbo and walking to Kosciuszko. I bet you’re exhausted. We’ll catch up one of these days. I’ll email you my phone numbers.
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Incredible photos. Incredible courage to cross the bridges to reach the sights to behold.
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The first one is the hardest 🙂
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What an incredible adventure…and stunning photos! I look forward to following and reading more!
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Thanks Donna.
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Hi, I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Mystery Blog Award. Acceptance is optional, but if you want to accept, here’s all the info:
https://petiteloulouseverydayadventures.com/2017/02/21/thank-you-for-the-mystery-blogger-nomination-view-from-the-back/
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Thank you. I will check this after work.
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You’re very welcome!
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