Everest 2018: Blessings on the Trek

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, so says the famous Chinese proverb. For some of our Everest climbers their journey started on the other side of the planet, others a few hundred miles, or even tens of miles down the Khumbu. For all that first step in the Khumbu or at base camp on the Tibet side defines a milestone in their journey.

Teams are trekking north up the Khumbu following the Dudh Koshi River and it’s free flowing rapids that seduce trekkers and climbers alike to wonder where is the source of that single drop of water. Perhaps it was from a small stream, a large rainstorm but most likely from the drainage of Mt. Everest.

A Time to Think

With our frenetic lives, many people rarely have a chance to get lost in thought for hours at a time. For our climbers and trekkers, this is their opportunity. In spite of the towering, 20,000 foot peaks that outline the track, it is easy to focus on the dirt trail two steps ahead. Your eyes go into the 1,000 yard stare while focusing on any random pebble or yak “residue” on the trail. Soon you are lost in thought.

Each person is different. Some think of family, others work. Then there are those who visualize the journey ahead. For some this time will come full circle when they are pushing up the Lhotse Face in a ground blizzard searching for reassurance that their teammates are nearby.  The winds gust higher and she questions if she can do this. Back on the trail in the Khumbu, she stops in her tracks, takes a deep breath and looks around and says to no-one “No, I wasn’t there, but soon will be.” And the climber continues the trek to base camp.

Conflicting Images

I like this post from Eric Murphy with Alpine Ascents (AAI) couple of days ago on Facebook. The down jackets are in full bloom and the table is neatly set. Some of the members seem like its time for bed. But there are also expressions of excitement and anticipation – yes this is what it is all about!!!!

Khumbu Memories

Of all of my treks in the Khumbu, these are two of my favorite images. From 2002, a young girl and in 2016, a young boy doing his best Fonzie imitation. This is why a trek in the  Khumbu will change your life.

Blessings

One of the most meaningful moments, at least for me, was always the stop at Lama Geshi’s home in Pangboche. The 87 year-old passed away on February 13, 2018. This gentle man literally touched thousand of climbers and trekkers over several decades as they visited his home to receive a blessing of safety, forgiveness, permission and compassion. Now that he is gone, IMG noted on their blog that Lama Nawang Paljur is now the new Lama at the Pangboche Monastery and is blessing climbers this season.

I miss my friend.

Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything