Below Khumbu GlacierBelow the modern Khumbu Glacier is a wide, open valley, overlooked by the peaks of Taboche (6367m) and Ama Dablam (6856m), and partly encroached by debris-mantled Chola Glacier at its head. Ice occupied and carved out this valley most recently during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) around 20,000 years ago. The LGM moraines enclose the settlement of Pheriche, where there is a vital medical facility. The LGM end moraine nearly blocks the mouth of the valley where it joins the Imja Valley in the vicinity of the pastoral village of Dingboche. Here, Lhotse (8501m), the world’s 4th highest peak, Ama Dablam and Tamerserku (6608m) dominate the view. | |||
 Debris-mantled Chola Glacier, standing proud of the floor of the upper Khumbu Valley, forms a graceful curve below the peak of Taboche. |  The route to Khumbu Glacier and Everest Base Camp follows this LGM bench (degraded moraine) high above the valley floor, and is overlooked by Ama Dablam. |  Looking up the lower Khumbu Valley from above the settlement of Pheriche. The LGM bench (moraine) is visible on the right, and Chola Glacier snout in the background. |  The LGM terminal moraine is a complex of ridges of sandy boulder-gravel. Above the village of Dingboche, the moraine is overlooked by Lhotse. |
 More multiple ridges in the LGM moraine, with boulders protruding through the thin grass cover. Tamerserku is the peak in the background. |  Near the LGM limit the lateral moraine is larger and less degraded, and a lateral morainic trough still survives. |  Prayer flags flutter in the breeze on the LGM end moraine, with Tamerserku in the background. |  The village of Dingboche, just outside the LGM moraine, overlooked by Tamerserku in early morning sunshine. |
| Photos Michael Hambrey, April-May, 2003 | |||