Below is the day-to-day account of my trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC), a journey that I had promised myself as a 50th birthday present. Nothing really prepares you for witnessing the majesty of the Himalayas with your own eyes.
This is a long blog that I’ve split into one day per page. You can jump directly to a day using the links below.
Getting to Base Camp: Day 1 to Day 11
Returning to Kathmandu: Day 12 to Day 17
Day 1: Kathmandu (elevation ~4,300 feet)
I was picked up at noon for the short drive to the group hotel, the Yak and Yeti, where I met my friend. We had a tasty Indian lunch at the Spice Room, after which I went through the painful process of deciding what to leave behind. I finally got everything into my 55-liter Patagonia® duffel – combined duffel and pack weight was 35 pounds—2 pounds over. Lhakpa, our guide and trip leader, assured me that it would be fine.
At 4:00 P.M. we had our orientation and met the rest of the group. Ten of us, all from the USA, sitting in a half circle, going on an adventure of a lifetime together. It seemed like a good group—well-traveled and lots of hikers/trekkers.
We got caught in a downpour on our way to the restaurant for dinner. Somehow my friend and I were the only ones wearing rain jackets. Wonderful multi-course meal.
Slept well that night.