Mt. Everest - A Family Expedition

Mt. Everest: We Made it to Everest Base Camp September 19, 2018 (Day 8) We made it to Everest Base Camp.   It was an exhilarating moment.   We were out of breath but climbed up the ceremonial hill and had our pictures taken.   Our little man of 11 years of age had made the trek with us all the way right to the top of the world. I should note that it was an ordeal of the body, mind, and spirit.   It was a 12-hour day to get there.   We left Lobouche at 4:00 am to get to Gorek Shep at 8:20 am. It was an absolutely beautiful (albeit hard) trek.   We had breakfast in Gorek Shep and off we went to Everest Base Camp.   We could hear the avalanches around us – some dirt, some snow.   They were a constant reminder of the 2015 avalanche that killed 19 Everest Base Camp trekkers. We saw both Andree and Hemant (from Mombi) along the way.   They were still alive and well. It was great to see part of our extended family ma...

Mt. Everest:   Paying Our Respects Thukla to Loboche September 19 th (Day 7) It is only one day before our grand moment on top of the world.   We are trekking to Lobouche, starting at 5:30 am.   This is only a 3-hour trek but with much lower oxygen it is a struggle – each step is a bit labored (ok a lot labored).   We are at 15,339 feet. We shared the path with the Yak for a good part of the day.   They manage quite well up here.   Ironically, they can’t survive at the lower altitudes. Our travels take us through a memorial site.   The landscape is populated with stupa-like monuments, reminders of those who never made it or made it but never returned from their trekking and/or climbing quest.   Many died from altitude sickness.   Some were ambushed by soldiers from warring nations.   The list of reasons is as long as the trek itself.    Many of them were seasoned adventures, too many were youn...

Mt. Everest:   We are all in search of something Dingboche to Thukla September 17 th (day 6) We woke up to the sound of everyone yelling “the mountains” – “come and see the mountains”.   We did not know which ones they were talking about, but it was the first time there was enough visibility to actually see the snow crested mountain tops.   They were magnificent – higher than the clouds circling around them. There was a special comradery at these lodges, where if there was a sighting everyone would call to the group’s attention. Once again after a quick adrenaline rush like that it was time for a bite of breakfast and time to get back on the trail. The small Yak homes with slate roofs, the solar powered dishes for hot water were in the foreground, while the mountains remained in the background of village life (but no ours). These paths were smoother – a massive relief – if even for short while. Soon the roa...