First off thank you for looking at my blog. Chances are it will not make sense as I an piecing together the information and emotions of the trek.
A lot of people were surprised by the fact that I was doing this trip. I can understand why they were so. For starters when looking at me, you wouldn't think I wanted to do much more than walk to the fridge and back. But I haven't really shown to anyone who knew me any interest in things of the mountain variety. So I thought I would explain to you why I decided to do the trek. There is more than one reason, so bear with me.
Firstly, the story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay has fascinated me, the story of many an explorer that has tried to compete against the mountain. There has always been a fascination with the mountains and how they lord over us taunting us with their beauty and mystery. I knew I would never reach the top of any of the higher mountains, but the thought of being in their presence, of being on the same path as some great explorers and trekkers was inviting enough.
Secondly, I have been learning about reaching beyond comfortable to ignite certain aspects of who I am and what I am capable of. I wanted to prove to myself that there was more I could do. I think it was two quotes I love that pushed me to try things.
The life magazine motto " To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
"Coming to understand the inner conditions that create challenges of our own making provides us coordinates to navigate and find a port of peace within where we are not so at the whim all that would unduly influence and incite damage against us." Can't say who said this.
Thirdly, there was a spiritual aspect of it. Before you say it, yes I know God is everywhere so I didn't have to travel and spend money to get closer. But I went to be in the stillness and silence and grandeur of His creation. Oddly enough there were many a conversation from others on the trek who were searching. Being we were in a majority Buddhist country there were many discussions about the Buddhist beliefs. I was able to input about Jesus and what He did for us and how he opened the access to the Throne of Grace. Anyway I digress, for me it was getting away from the extremely busy and muddling life I was in back in the UK and be present with God while making my way to the mountain.
And finally, I just really wanted to see Everest, who doesn't she is a magnificent growing mountain. She draws people in with her majesty and pointiness. She and her sisters tower over you but from a distance, always watching you, directing you to them with their allure. I was meant to go in 2021, and reach base camp on my 35th birthday, but Covid decided to put that on hold. instead I went up for my 36th birthday.
I made a lot of self discoveries on the trek which I will write about next, and met some interesting people,from seasoned summiters,to fellow base campers, from meeting the lady who has summited all 14 of the highest peaks, to some extraordinary people with their amazing stories. Bonding with our team and guides was another level of amazing. What I love is how I am still in contact with a lot of these amazing people.
But to say that I, a larger man (more fat than muscle) with dodgy feet and dodgy knees, made it to Base Camp and just about made it back in one piece, is quite something. Well for me it is.
Hope that made sense.
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