After 36 hours of travel, I landed in Kathmandu, greeted by the chaos and beauty of a city so alive with color and culture. Our first days were spent preparing for the trek, but the moments that stayed with me were visiting Kakani School, bringing jackets and a new water pump, and sipping tea while gazing at the Himalayas. Walking through sacred sites like Pashupatinath Temple, where life and death are intertwined in ways I had never seen, opened my heart and mind.
The real journey began as we flew to Lukla, the ‘most dangerous flight in the world,' (which should come with a complimentary parachute) with 15 days and 111 miles ahead of us. The excitement of our adventure clashed with my growing sickness, which turned into walking pneumonia. But even at my lowest, when every breath felt like a battle, the mountains and the people around me kept me going. Tengboche was a magical place where I received a blessing from a monk, and I know that blessing carried me through my hardest days.
Reaching Everest Base Camp was a dream I’ve had since I was a child. Standing at the base of that iconic mountain, with the Khumbu Icefall glistening in front of me, was beyond surreal. That moment made every step, every struggle worth it. Saying goodbye to a few teammates who returned home was emotional—there’s a bond you form when you face such challenges together.
Then came the snow, Cho La Pass, and Gokyo Lake—each more stunning and more humbling than the last. Crossing glaciers and climbing high passes, I felt a profound connection to the land and the people with me. Gokyo Ri was my personal triumph. After everything I had gone through, I felt strong, accomplished, and truly happy.
As the trek wound down, crossing Renjo La was bittersweet. The trek was ending, but I was leaving with a heart full of gratitude and pride. Celebrating in Lukla with our guides and porters was a night I’ll never forget. The return to Kathmandu marked the end of the journey but also the beginning of something new inside me.
This trek changed me, reminding me of my resilience and the beauty in both struggle and triumph. If you ever have the chance to do something like this—take it. The Himalayas, the people, and the experience will stay with me forever.
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