The Day Everest Stopped Being a Photograph and Became a Place I Had Reached

The Flight Towards Lukla Was Where the Adventure Really Got Started

Looking out of the aircraft window at the landscape that was gradually vanishing behind us, I could not fail to marvel at the sheer contrast between this green scenery and the mountainous trails that I was soon to discover. I also remember feeling that, the closer we were getting to Lukla, the greater the adventure that lay ahead was going to be.

As we touched down on the ground, I felt a mixture of excitement and nerves. In truth, up until that point I had been looking forward to this Everest base camp trek trip because it was not somewhere I had often visited before; in fact, I had never been anywhere like it at all. Now that the walking was about to start, I was determined to enjoy every second of it.

My First Steps on the Trail Into the Khumbu

I found myself marvelling at the contrast between the land we had left behind and the narrow mountain trails we were following, as well as the little villages dotted all over the hills. Everything was so different to anything I had seen or done before and it was all incredibly exciting. However, the novelty of it all was tempered slightly by the realisation that I would be walking for hours yet.

It was not without its difficulties, but I had to admit, trudging up these mountain paths was more fun than sitting at home watching television! It was hard work, but there was something truly special about every twist and turn in the trail as we walked deeper and deeper into this amazing region known as the Khumbu.

Figuring out the Pace that was Right for Walking the Steep Mountain Paths

It did not take me long to learn that, in order to get the most from my trek, I would need to pace myself. Although the inclines were not always that steep, walking for hours at a time and with a heavy pack on one’s back could soon become exhausting.

So, instead of thinking about how quickly I could finish an incline, I was sure to focus on keeping a steady pace throughout. Instead of getting upset about how hard some of my climbs were, I soon found myself enjoying every minute of it. As I made it to a summit, I could look back and be proud of myself and take in the magnificent views that were even more spectacular than ever before.

The Suspension Bridges and Trails Made for Extraordinary Challenges

The fun part about the suspension bridges was that they offered a completely new angle on the views. Looking down towards the valley below was an incredible experience that made me feel as if I was in some truly exotic and foreign terrain. They were exciting places to cross, but there were plenty of other challenges too. Rocky trails, steep inclines and long walks all helped to test my endurance. The longer I walked, the more I would begin to think about how much further I had to go before I could actually call it a day.

Yet, the spectacular scenery would always provide a new reason for me to trek on.

Reaching Namche Bazaar was a Real Achievement

As we climbed past a few of the little villages, I was thrilled to see just how far we had come in reaching the larger settlement of Namche Bazaar. This mountain village appeared so very well placed within the valley and the amazing views that it afforded simply added to the sense of achievement I was feeling at that point.

I took my time in taking it all in and marvelling at the spectacular views that the village commanded. Namche was so far into the mountains and so far from the place that I had started my trek that I felt that I was already starting to get a sense of what it was all about.

As I Walked Higher, I Found it Much Harder Work

As we climbed higher, it became more of a challenge as I found I had to work quite hard to get up the hills and slopes. The air simply became more difficult to breathe as I got higher. In many ways, the terrain was similar, but the higher we went the more challenging it became.

I found this was one of the most challenging aspects of trekking. It was a matter of taking it slow and steady. Sometimes, the only way to get up a hill was to take it slowly, stop and catch your breath and only then to push yourself on again.

It was frustrating at times, but at least it taught me not to think of every incline as an ordeal and to get enjoyment from what I was doing.

I loved Watching the Landscapes Change as I Walked Higher into the Mountains

One of the things I loved most about this trek was watching the landscape change as we climbed higher. The greener fields and valleys of earlier on in my trek soon gave way to rocky outcrops, huge valleys and incredible mountain walls that dwarfed everything else around them. As we climbed higher, the mountains seemed to loom ever larger and more challenging.

Even as I tired, this beautiful scenery was a constant source of inspiration and motivation. There was always a new mountain to spot or a new and spectacular part of the trail to look at. Now I understand why some people say the Everest region offers much more than just a destination; the very landscape and trails are as incredible as the mountains themselves.

The Treks Towards Gorak Shep and Everest Had a Totally Different Feeling to Them

As I came across the trail towards Lobuche and Gorak Shep towards the end of my trek, these trails seemed to be totally different to the ones I had been on at the beginning. I could see the mountains rising up all around me and I was walking through some seriously rough terrain at a really high altitude.

I was tired, but I kept thinking about just how close I was to actually seeing Everest Base Camp. As I reached Gorak Shep, I truly felt that I was on the brink of the most incredible experience. I had been walking for days through villages and over mountain passes and valleys, but the final stage of my trek was about to take off.

The Final Walk Towards Everest Base Camp Was Full of Strange Contradictions

As I began the final walk towards Everest Base Camp, my mind was full of strange contradictions. I knew that every step that I took was bringing me closer to my destination, but it also meant that I was coming ever closer to the end of my expedition. I was so close to completing my trek, but I felt strangely excited to get to where I was going.

I looked out over the vast, rocky landscape and saw a whole world of glaciers, prayer flags, mountains and deep valleys that stretched out before me. When I eventually got there, I could hardly believe that it was real. Having got to Base Camp, I stopped and marveled at the mountains that were now before me.

However, after walking for so long, it was surprisingly anticlimactic to get there. I knew that the whole reason I had embarked on this trek had been to see the world’s highest mountain peak, but now I had arrived somewhere that was truly unbelievable. For me, Everest had stopped being a photo on my wall and had instead become a real place.

The Whole Trek Made for Such an Amazing Adventure

Looking back on it all, I think that the highlight of any trek towards Everest Base Camp has to be the final day. However, it was the whole experience that made it such a memorable adventure. The flight to Lukla and the anticipation that I had in the early stages of the trek and the steep climbs and even the suspension bridges were all special parts of my journey. Getting to Everest Base Camp was the highlight, but I found the whole trip absolutely amazing.