Everest Trek Day 8 :: Altitude, Attitude, and a Glimpse of Everest: A Day of Frosty Glory

Ah yes, the day had finally come. Today was the magic moment—the day I was supposed to lay eyes on Mount Everest. You know, the one that’s really tall and makes people feel tiny. I was mentally prepared for the “WOW” moment, but first, a little journey through cold misery.

Yesterday, I sipped coffee at the world’s highest bakery, which is as Instagram-worthy as it sounds. Today? I’m headed to the world’s highest lodge—because clearly, I’m in the habit of collecting altitude records. But between me and that cozy lodge is a 10-hour, leg-burning, lung-busting trek. Simple, right?

Last Night’s Chill Episode (Spoiler: It was -17°C)

Picture this: it’s -17°C outside and I’m basically auditioning for Frozen 3 inside my sleeping bag. Altitude sickness hit me like a ton of yak dung, complete with a pounding head and food that tasted like cardboard. So, I layered up—every single piece of clothing in my bag—and got into bed. If shivering burned calories, I would’ve been an ultra-marathoner by midnight. At some point, I slept. I think.

6 AM: The Breakfast of Champions (Sort of)

At dawn, I rolled out of my glacier-like bed and had two cups of black coffee. Breakfast was… let’s just call it “optional,” because the sight of food made my stomach want to quit its job.

The Trek to Everest Base Camp: A Masterclass in Suffering

Now, the fun begins! We’re heading up to Everest Base Camp. It’s a 7-hour trek if you’re fast or a 10-hour trek if you’re normal—and spoiler: I am firmly in the “normal” category.

Around 4500 meters, every step feels like punishment. I started with one step per breath, but it quickly turned into one breath for half a step. That’s right. Half a step. My legs and brain were having a bitter custody battle over my body. Bir, my trusty guide, was patient enough to let me schlep along at my snail’s pace.

We trudged along a ridge for what felt like an eternity. Imagine walking with sheer drops on either side while trying to convince your legs that they still work. Eventually, I caught sight of Everest’s peak—hiding, as always, behind other 8000-meter giants. Everest is coy like that.

The Everest Base Camp Experience: Cue the Triumph Music

After what felt like a lifetime, we finally arrived at Everest Base Camp—5600 meters, the highest I’ve ever been in my life! People were snapping photos like paparazzi at a celebrity sighting, and the Khumbu Glacier? A terrifying beauty.

In the spring, this place is buzzing with climbers prepping for their Everest ascent. But today, it’s just us wannabe adventurers. A guy from Argentina broke into song (why not?), and I could hear a chorus of languages swirling around. The wind was fierce, and someone measured the temperature—another lovely -17°C. Perfect weather for existential reflections!

As I stood there, looking at Everest, something shifted. I felt all my adrenaline drain out. It wasn’t just a mountain anymore; it was a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. Nature, the universe—it’s humbling.

The Trek Back: More Schlepping, But With a Soup at the End

The wind nearly blew us off the mountain, but we trekked back. Another 3 hours. When we finally reached the lodge, I was beyond ready for some hot soup and to defrost. Wifi? Finicky, expensive, and a modern-day Everest in itself.

Even as night fell and I saw trekkers still struggling back, I knew I’d had a once-in-a-lifetime moment with the mountain.

No, I’ll probably never climb Everest—but today, I saw enough to believe that there’s something much bigger out there running the show.