Trekking at Himalayas

When our group was toying with the idea of taking a trek to the Base Camp of Mount Everest, we were advised to undertake from the popular trekking route in the Himalayas essentially from the South side. At the crack of dawn, we reached Kathmandu from different parts of the world. We took a Dornier aircraft to Lukla a small airport on the North Eastern Nepal serviced by the Tenzing-Hillary Airport. Lukla airport at an altitude of 9383 feet is known for many accidents due to its short airstrip and harsh weather conditions.

Acquiring necessary permits from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation was a breeze. Thanks to the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) which is operating guided tours since 1973 for thousands of trekkers annually from around the world.

Contrary to this trekking from the North Side requires permission from the Chinese government & Tibet authorities.

We began to the base camp and upward to Namche Bazaar the Sherpa capital. We were informed this town is at an altitude of 11,290 feet on the banks of the Dudh Kosi river. All the essential items including food and climbing equipment could be procured here.

We had to follow a strict regimen for acclimatizing ourselves prior to beginning the expedition. This schedule was also for seasoned trekkers. Couple of French Nationals of our team have undertaken treks to the Alps from the Mediterranean coast of France. One of the trekkers was coming for the second time in 3-years. I was ecstatic for this trek as I had undertaken only smaller and lower profile treks in the past. Stamina and fitness are primary criterion for trekking. The training was grueling to acclimatize oneself to the high altitudes and cold temperatures. Adequate training was imparted to cope with the arduous underfoot terrain to trek for many days without a break.



We were made to undergo stringent routine in terms of food to sustain long hours in hostile weather conditions. All the same, we were ready to undergo any kind of rigorous schedule as we were fired up to experience long cold days in high altitudes and some tough terrain.

At the tour operator's office, we saw some spectacular photographs of victorious mountain climbers and trekkers who had undertaken such hazardous trips. Undeniably it is going to be an awesome trek in the highest and most magnificent mountain ranges in the world. We had to pull out all stops to attain fitness and stamina as it is of a paramount importance for these trips.

The most awaited D-day has come for which we were eagerly waiting. Many dream of conquering Everest at 8848 meters, a few enterprising succeed. We can at least be lucky enough to go to very close to the foot of the world's highest mountain - Everest Base Camp at 5364 meters.

My earlier treks, which I had bragged about seemed insignificant and hackneyed before this Himalayan trek; obviously because they were literally light in terms of baggage that I had carried. The check list of items seemed too non-exhaustive as though we were going to live up there for eternity. For a 12-day trek, we were carrying all the required trekking accessories from safety pins to the pairs of powerful torches, in addition to packed food and sufficient quantity of water, basic trekking implements like ice axes and crampons.

For achieving the first leg of our ascent, we followed the trail from Phakding to Sagarmatha National Park passing through thick forest of mountain pines, giant fir and magnolia trees up to Namche Hill. The second batch of our group that was trailing us was lucky to spot rare red pandas. We saw the photographs later.

As is customary to pay obeisance and seek blessing for the expeditions at the grand Thyangboche monastery. Towering above the base camp is 'Kala Pathar' the world's highest mountain at a height of 5,545 meters is itself a triumphant feat. The view was simply breathtaking and sights of surrounding peaks were simply magnificent of a perfect place for adventure. The dizzying altitude and continuous cutting across valleys took a toll on two trekkers in our group.

One of the guides, a Sherpa informed that we are lucky not to have women in this group. The climate was becoming harsh as we progressed and he remembered women have difficult time if they are physically unfit.

As we progressed, the mountainous panorama became gloriously splendid. We walked on frozen rivers in icy wilderness. In spite of difficulty in clicking photographs with our trekking gear armed to the teeth, we managed some perfect photo shoots.

It was a great lifetime trip. Kudos to the energetic Sherpas!