Recently I trekked to Mt. Everest Base Camp and it was the most thrilling time of my life. The white mountain is massive, imperial and magnificent at the same time. Climbing it is beyond my capability but trekking to base camp is no less an accomplishment.

On 3rd of October we flew from Kathmandu to Lukla, one of the most dangerous airports in the world – Seemed like the wings of the aircraft would scrape the mountains. From Lukla we started our trek. Lukla to Phakding (2652 meters), Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 meters) , Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860 meters), Tengboche to Dingboche (4360 meters). It seemed like my head would burst. The air was thin with oxygen supply at 40% and the temperature -8 degrees and still dropping. We gasped for breath and our heart rate was notably high. There were emergency evacuations every few minutes. Choppers flew in and out all the time. I prayed to God for strength and courage. The trek was not so easy after all. Dingboche to Lobuche (4940 meters), Lobuche to Gorak Shep, (5170 meters). And there, I saw snowfall for the first time in my life. Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (5364 meters), and WE DID IT. 18 days of the hardest physical exercise I’ve ever undertaken in my fifteen years. The reward was divine. I was surrounded by some of the highest and most spectacular peaks of the world. Khumbutse 6675 meters, Everest 8900 meters, Lohtse 8565 meters, Nuptse 7894 meters. They all towered above me.

Then the descent….Everest Base Camp to Gorak Shep, Gorak Shep to Tengboche, Tengboche to Namche Bazaar, Namche Bazaar to Lukla and finally,  Lukla to Kathmandu.

Walking for hours on a treadmill is much easier than climbing over the rocks for an hour.

The mix of natural beauty, fascinating culture and a personal sense of achievement, combined with warm Nepalese hospitality  make the trek to  Everest Base Camp one of the world’s most unforgettable experiences.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is an adventure of a lifetime. It is achievable for the most but do not expect it to be a tourist trek!! This adventure needs to be respected, prepared and trained for.

– Jai Tamra, X D