A short walk later, the trail divides into three. We take the one on the right hand side which soon levels out to a pleasant walk through a wooded area. We emerge out of the woods on an exposed ledge with a magnificent view of the Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam’s distinctive thumb-like summit. It’s clear enough for Lakpa to point out the Hillary step, just over the South Col. The altitude is 4050m and we feel great.