March, 25th 2006

Climbing Mt. Everest

Visiting the base camp at 5.200 m
The highway from Lhasa to Kathmandu passes Mt. Everest. We the chance to see the highest mountain of all from the far distance a couple of days ago when we reached a view point along the way. That view was already breathtaking but just imagining that we were actually going to Mt. Everest base camp made as shiver in awe. We left early early the other morning in anticipation to experience a miraculous sunrise but our driver was clever enough not to purchase the so much needed visitor pass – and it wasn’t his first trip to the base camp! Whatever we had to wait for two hours until a friend of his’ delivered the entrance tickets. We reached a small village at the foot of Mt. Everest where we could stay over night and set off for an 8 KM walk to the base camp. It was only 8 KM to reach the base camp but it was definitely the most straining walk I’ve ever done in my life. In between I had to lay down cos I just couldn’t move anymore. And climbing a slope of just 2 meters height almost killed me. I am serious I thought I had to throw up blood and feared that Antler will suffer a heart attack. When we reached to top of the slope there was this truck that went straight to base camp BUT we both were too exhausted to lift our arms to make the driver stop. Moving in an altitude of over 5.000 m (16.500 ft.) is very fatiguing even if it is only turning around in bed at night. But after all we made it to base camp and went even further crossing a plain and finally touched to foot of Mt. Everest. Back in the village Antler and I went over the monastery where the monks blessed one of the massive gongs we were carrying around since weeks. Next morning we left for the Chinese – Nepali border and crossed it the next day.

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