The Magnetic Draw of Mount Everest
From Now THAT’S a Mountain by Eyesopen
A little over 3,000 people have reached the summit of Mt. Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, since its first ascent in 1953. Spring climbing season (April and May) brings climbers of all skill-levels to Nepal to hike the surrounding mountains and absorb the sublime beauty of Mt. Everest. RealTraveler Eyesopen recently trekked to Everest Base Camp and then hiked Kula Patar, a mountain in the Nepalese Himalaya that affords those who reach it’s summit a jaw-dropping view of Mt. Everest.
Here’s a passage from his journal, Now THAT’S a Mountain:
“We made it to Gorak Shep, which is the last outpost of lodges before Base Camp, then proceeded to race the weather, which can change faster that Alberta’s if you can believe that! The walk to Base Camp was astounding, and I was fighting to keep my eyes on the trail and not on the scenery that surrounded me. The sun was out and the sky was crystal, with hanging glaciers all around me reflecting the light to a blinding brilliance. Even with sunglasses, the intensity of the sunlight at 18500 ft. is incredible. Along the way we saw porters (who deserve everyone’s respect and admiration for the loads they can carry) hauling down parts of a helicopter that had crashed five years ago. We left the ridge of the moraine we were walking on and started walking on the Khumbu Glacier, which was larger than anything I had ever seen, and could be seen to stretch all they way up the valley leading to Everest or Sagamatha as its called here.
The next morning those of us who were interested got up at 430AM for the hike up Kala Patar, which afford the best views of Mt. Everest and the entire valley. The hike is a brutal climb up a shoulder of the larger Pumori mountain. But the view once at the top was indescribable, spanning almost 360 degrees, it was the single hardest climb I’ve ever done, at the highest altitude (5545m/19407ft) and worth every drop of sweat and empty breath. ” (more…)
For more inspiring stories from RealTravel trekkers, check out journals by ddbartley, Travelbabs, and Claire and Ryan.
Additional Useful Links:
Nepal Travel Guide
Mount Everest Travel Guide
Tibet Travel Guide
