I acclimatized for one more day at Dingboche (4,360m), enjoying the views of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. I knew for a fact that the roundabout length of the classic Everest Base Camp trek was around 130 km, and I had already completed half of it. The trail to Lobuche was quite easy initially. I passed several trek groups and realized that some people walk fast for some time and then wait and rest before continuing. Others walk at their own pace. Interestingly, I even saw a herder taking his horses somewhere. I tried my best to walk consistently but slowly. After all, the Everest Base Camp trek is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. After trekking for about two and a half hours, I reached Gorakshep. The altitude change, from 4,910m to 5,140m was not very much, but still, it was a tiring trek. Gorakshep is a tiny settlement with a handful of tea houses where you can spend the night. This is the closest settlement to Everest Base Camp. I checked in at the first tea house. The dining room was cozy, and I felt happy, enveloped in its warmth. I ordered a bowl of soup and while serving it, the waiter said, “I presume you are heading to Everest Base Camp, and you will need a lot of energy. How about lunch?” That sounded sensible so I ordered rice, lentils, and curry. After all, I had to muster energy to climb up to the Everest Base Camp. After lunch, I readied myself for the final leg of the journey. From the lodge, the trail took me slightly downhill, and I arrived at a flat but muddy area. Then the path started to incline, slowing me down. The whole landscape seemed rather dull and empty. The cold, however, pierced through my multiple layers of clothing. As I hiked, I heard the sounds of rock falling, which worried me a bit. But after a while, I could see the Khumbu glacier. I was amazed by how the glacier changed its color, from gray and dirty to sparkling white and even bluish at times. Finally, I reached the Everest Base Camp—my dream destination. I could see the fluttering prayer flags and bright yellow tents holding tightly to the Khumbu ice. Those tents belonged to the very ambitious ones—those who were aiming to reach the top of Everest itself. At the Everest Base Camp, I congratulated myself. I took out my camera from my backpack and clicked a dozen pictures. To return home, I headed back to Gorakshep. My tired muscles were quite happy as I treaded downhill, but just before reaching the Gorakshep, there is a short uphill that you must climb. From there, after a day’s rest, I’d be heading to Kala Patthar to see the sunrise over Everest and the surrounding mountains before returning to Pheriche. The next day, I woke up before dawn and set out with several other trekkers to see the sunrise on Everest. With headlamps and thick layers of clothing, we braced the harsh elements. But it was worth it as the view from Kala Patthar is mesmerizing. As the sun rose, it started to get warm, and I could clearly see the surrounding mountains: Mount Pumori, Mount Nuptse, Mount Changste, among others. The Khumbu glacier and Khumbu icefall both looked fabulous. After enjoying the views to my heart's content, I returned to Gorakshep for breakfast. A sense of accomplishment seemed to have taken over. I was also happy that there were no more uphill trails to climb, and that the descent would be way easier. After a few days, I eventually reached Lukla and flew back to Kathmandu, fully refreshed and recharged. The time I spent on the Everest region trek was intense, and the trip taught me that the mountains challenge, inspire, and transform us. If you feel the mountains are calling, you must go. Believe me, the moments you spend in its company have the power to change you completely. The author is the founder and CEO of Discovery World Trekking, a trip operation company
