After the lack of views at Base Camp the previous day we had planned a 5 am start to climb to the summit of Kalla Patther (5545 metres) to watch the sun rise over Everest. I'd had a really bad nights sleep, with the effects of the altitude, finding it really difficult to mouth breath while sleeping. Seemed to keep waking up every few minutes gasping for breath and wanting to drink as my throat was really dry. Sadly for us the weather hadn't improved much during the night, in fact it had probably gotten worse, as it the temperature had dropped and there was a fresh coating of snow. The planned ascent of Kalla Patther was cancelled as there was little point making the climb if we could see anything. So after breakfast we started the long descent back down the glacier, passing Lobuche, to Pheriche, some 3000 feet below us. The first part of the walk was over the glaciers and the going was a little tricky as the wet snow was making the trail slippery in places. However, we all reached Lobuche without any problems for the morning coffee stop, followed by the steep descent down the Khumbu Glacier to the lodge at Duglha. I was ready for my tomato soup and plate of chips that I'd ordered for my lunch, I even didn't mind paying £4 for a 500 ml bottle of coke to wash them down with!!! After we'd eaten the weather had improved loads and the sun made a welcome appearance, this made the walk back along the valley a pleasure, with the added bonus of Ama Dablam poking out through the cloud.