10 Days to Everest

10 Days to Everest

Basil Naser

“Climb the mountain not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.” – David McCullough Jr.

I’ve always had a sense of adventure in me, and you know what they say – life is all about taking risks, and the biggest risk of all is not taking one when you can. Trekking has always been a hobby of mine. In fact, this isn’t the first time I visited Nepal to go on a hike, but this time was a lot more challenging in many ways. The first time I hiked in Nepal was back in 2018, but that was an amateur hike compared to this one. To start with, catching a 2:00 am flight is a challenge on its own, struggling to stay awake to take in and see all the breathtaking views upon arrival. Just seeing the airport at Kathmandu and getting a whiff of the aroma with the cold breeze made me positive I was in for an adventure, just like back in 2018. I met up with a group who was just as eager as me to start this hike, and this is where the journey to Everest Base Camp began.

Let’s just say the route to Everest Base Camp is no walk in the park. No matter how prepared you think you are, you’re always in for a surprise. They warn you that it’s too cold, but you’re always going to be cold. They warn you about the lack of good food, but you’re always going to be hungry. They warn you about running out of breath, but you’re always going to run out of breath. These are just a few of the many challenges I faced on my way to Everest Base Camp. This ten-day trip not only requires an extraordinary amount of dedication and patience, but also the willpower and determination to get through the entire trail.

My days started with me waking up extra early, after an early night, packing up and hitting the road. One thing to keep in mind is there’s no limit to the things you bring, but just remember that it’s all on your back – literally! That’s why I tried to minimize the number of things I brought with me on this trip. While on the hike, I made it a priority to connect with nature, to appreciate the beautiful sights, clean air, and calmness. My hikes consisted of peace, quiet, and serenity, but also some good company and a few laughs here and there. Going on this journey with people I’ve never met before brought a sense of understanding of why people choose to go on such a daring adventure. The lack of electronics and telecommunication can be a good thing sometimes, especially during a time like this. Disconnecting with your world to connect with the real, natural, world is extremely healthy for your mind. The amount of stress reduction your body experiences just from engaging with nature does wonders to your mental and physical health. Our days usually ended with us gathered in a cozy cabin, with a hot cup of tea in hand, playing cards and talking, just simply having a good time, ready to refuel for the next day’s exciting adventures.

To say reaching Everest Base Camp was a proud moment is an understatement. There’s no doubt I did all the usual tourist-like things, lifting my country’s flag in pride and engraving my loved ones’ names on the peak’s rocks to let them know they were also a part of this accomplishment and that I was thinking of them every step of the way. It’s not the peak point I reached that made me proud, but my ability to remain focused and committed is mainly what astonished me. As Yvon Chouinard once said, “How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top.”