Above: Monks blowing horns at Thyangboche monastery. This monastery, the major religious center in the Solu Khumbu, was established in 1916 by Lama Gulu, a practitioner of the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Thyangboche has strong links with Rongbuk monastery on the north side of Everest.

Right: En route to Everest, a team member pauses by a chorten surrounded by mani stones, with Ama Dablam beyond.