When I visited Gokyo in May, 2000 I had hoped to trek over the Cho La by myself to Gorak Shep. But, I woke up to snowy weather, and decided to walk back to Namche Bazaar in one long 9-hour day, and then from there trek to Gorak Shep. What had been an obvious trail in good weather disappeared in the snow. I had to rely on cairns and the general direction to descend safely. Even then I got lost several times.