A sunny morning warms us up quickly, and we stop to shed our jackets as Cho Oyu 8153m (26,749ft) comes into view off the far end of the Dudh Koshi River Valley.

Our last full view of Ama Dablam, up the Imja Khola Valley, as we take the fork to our left. We cross over and come down this valley, past the base of Ama Dablam, on the return, however. The Thyangboche Monastery is perched on the ridge in the lower right - one of our stopping points during our return in two weeks.

The small Stupa and pile of prayer stones carry inscriptions of Buddhist prayers.

Yaks are a frequent sight while we’re still at a low enough elevation for them to find foliage to graze on. Cho Oyu now becomes the prominent landmark at the head of the valley.

The town of Phortse rests on a rare flat area at the crook of the two valleys - Imja Khola Valley to the right, and Dudh Koshi River Valley to the left. Ama Dablam disappears once and for all as we proceed up the valley to the left.

The winter climate and higher altitudes now bring cold enough temperatures to freeze the creeks and waterfalls.

Thamserku and Kantega (left) take on a mystical appearance as fog starts blowing past them again.

More frozen waterfalls.

Thamserku and Kantega remain visible behind us for a long time, even as we climb the valley leading directly away from them, on our way up to Gokyo.