Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley and potatoes from the cold winds. It is occupied mainly through the monsoon months, when large numbers of yaks are brought here to graze on the valley pastures. Behind our lodge the huge rock faces of Taweche seem to soar to the heavens. The views are fantastic in this valley; the towering south face of Lhotse to the north, Island Peak in the centre of the valley, and the fluted ice-walls of unnamed peaks that line the southern end of the valley form a hauntingly beautiful sight. In the morning we will hike up the steep hill behind our lodge, and this offers great views of the fifth highest mountain in the world, Makalu (8481m), which is not visible from the valley floor.