The Final Post - my close encounter with the mighty Himalayas!

In November of 2024, a dormant dream to undertake the Trek to the Everest Base Camp was re-ignited within me and I started seriously evaluating the options. By February of 2025, this dream was slowly becoming a reality. I got in touch with the India office of Himalayan Wonders (a Kathmandu based Company) and made enquiries. By April 2025, the final decision had been made and it was time to pack bags. May 2025 will, forever, remain close to my heart. With abundant graces from the Almighty, I could successfully complete the arduous Trek to Everest Base Camp. May 14th, 2025 is the day I set foot at the Everest Base Camp. In those photo opp moments at the Base Camp, I was truly overwhelmed. The enormity of the achievement had not sunk in. I was more concerned with the tough 4 km Trek back from EBC to Gorakchep - an inhospitable, freezingly cold village that was to be our night halt. At the risk of sounding cliched, today, I look back with great pride at having made my dream come true, reached my destination and achieved the goals that I had set for myself. 

I am almost sure that I am the first person from my family (the Kollamkulam family from Kanjirapally in Kerala, India) to set foot at the Everest Base Camp. I hope my success will motivate cousins, nephews, nieces and friends to take up this formidable challenge!  

Lasting memories of my Trek would be the stunningly beautiful snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas; the Dudh Koshi river that we criss-crossed multiple times during our EBC Trek; the Veg Dal Bhat (a traditional Nepali thali meal - steamed rice, lentils (Dal), Potato and Cabbage curry, Pappad and Pickles) that was our staple lunch and dinner; the bonhomie and camaraderie that we shared with fellow Trekkers, from all over the world , during those 12 days; the lunar landscape beyond the 4000 M elevation; the Khumbu Glacier on which we trekked (the world's highest Glacier); the utterly simple, warm and friendly Nepali people; and, last but not the least, the sub-zero temperatures and the rugged terrain that accompanied our days and nights of Trekking. 

I will be delighted to answer any queries any of you might have, reg this EBC Trek. Reach me on my email: abrahamkgeorge61@gmail.com

From Veg Dal Bhat and Hot Garlic soup, I am now relishing succulent Mutton Biryani, Chicken Momos and Nepal Ice beer in Kathmandu! 😜

What's next in my bucket list? Let's see ....😊

For now, savour the success ! 

Thankyou, as always, for having Walked With Me. Believe me, your support, fine words of encouragement were, indeed, priceless and so motivating all through the 12 days of my Trek. 

From Kathmandu, the gateway to the Himalayas, it's CIAO and do take good care of yourselves! 

A nostalgic goodbye!

Goodbye to Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) and goodbye to the beautiful Himalayas! You have given me enough joy and beautiful memories for the remainder years of my life! 🙏🙏❤️🙌👏

Mission completed, goals achieved, dreams have come true, the mighty Himalayas has conquered my soul, my bucket list is a joy forever....it's now time to go home! 🥲❤️🤗

51 kms downhill in 3 days!

It was, indeed, a spectacular, thrilling and leg-breaking effort, as we, literally, sprinted down the mountain slopes of the great Himalayas, in 3 days. What a grand closure to an epic Trek! 17 kms on Thursday, 16 kms on Friday and 18 kms, yesterday (Saturday), brought us to Lukla at 5.30 pm, yesterday evening. Every muscle in the body was tested and stretched, as, we carefully negotiated the steep gradients, loose top soil and uneven surfaces and, at the same time, to ensure that we did not get injured or end up with nasty falls. There are many Trekkers who take a Chopper down to Lukla after reaching the Everest Base Camp. I think walking down the hill is what really completes the Trek. Last evening, at the conclusion of our Trek, it was our pleasure to host the Team Leader, Asst Guide and the two Porters to Beers and a Chicken Sizzler dinner, with some delicious, spicy starters . It was euphoric, indeed! The 5 of us were absolutely thrilled to bits at having successfully completed this epic, magnificent, world renowned EBC Trek. During our ascent, we had first-hand experiences of Trekkers who could not complete the Trek due to AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Dangerously low Oxygen levels meant that they had to be Air evacuated to Kathmandu. In fact, our Insurance Policy for this Trek covers Air Evacuation in case of distress and poor health. Coming back to our dinner, last night, the Beers disappeared faster than they appeared on the table 😆. 12 days without alcohol and non veg food and the craving is at dangerous levels. 😜The joy and great sense of achievement that all of us felt at having successfully reached our destination and returned safely to Lukla (starting point of the Trek) was blissful and freaked! This morning (Sunday, May 18th), we took the early morning Dornier flight out of Lukla and arrived at Kathmandu, a few hours ago. Lukla is rated one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The runway, built on a plateau, leaves no room for error! 😛 Words cannot express our thrill and satisfaction, and, not to forget, a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty for blessing our Trek with success, and keeping us healthy and safe, these past 12 days. A few days of rest is certainly called for. 😊 I will fly back home to Cochin on Wednesday, 21st. In the meanwhile, spend a couple of days here in Kathmandu enjoying the sights, local cuisine and souvenir shopping! Guys, thankyou a million for Walking With Me these past 12 days! Believe me, it's been unbelievable to have your support and encouragement egg me on, despite adversities and difficult conditions (not to forget, freezing temperatures)! Thankyou with all my heart! I will close this blog tomorrow (hopefully, or the day after, for sure) with an overview of a stupendous, scintillating, splendorous trek to Everest Base Camp. Until then, enjoy your Sunday .....😍👋 A titbit......the locals call Mount Everest, Sagarmata...! 

Winding down a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Day 9 of our EBC Trek - We commenced our descent this morning (Thursday) at 7 am, from Gorakchep. We travelled 17 kms down the slopes, passing by Lobuche, Tukla, Periche (where we had lunch) and, finally, reached our night halt , Shomare. From 5100 M (Gorakchep, where we spent last night in -8 °), we descended down to 4100 M. Tomorrow, likewise, we will descend 15 Kms from here to Namche Bazar. Descending down the slopes has its own dangers and difficulties. A big strain on the knees; loose sand, loose stones on the slope makes it easy to miss a footing and slip down the slope. So, one has to be really careful and watchful. Everyone's photo gallery is full of wonderful pictures. So, clicking pictures is a minimum as trekkers make their descent. The Trekking Poles are really useful, more so while descending. Two more days of descent awaits us before we fly off to Kathmandu, on Sunday. Continue Walking With Me and keep me in your prayers! 

Day 8 - Everest Base Camp

Guys, it was a tough 8 km trek from Lobuche to the Base Camp today. The 4 km trek back from EBC to Gorakchep (where we are halting for the night) made it a total of 12 kms of trekking today. We reached the Base Camp around 2 pm this afternoon, and it was a wonderful sight to see so many tents of Mountaineers getting ready for the climb to the Summit. Well, Mission accomplished, great satisfaction - a memory I will carry to my grave! Rated amongst the Top 5 most challenging Treks in the world, the EBC Trek into the heart of the Mighty Himalayas has been an unforgettable experience! The shortage of oxygen at these altitudes is yet another challenge. Trekkers from all Nationalities have packed the EBC Trekking route and you make so many friends over these 12 days ! Amar Dablam, Lhotse, Tavuche and so many other great mountain peaks that we saw enroute will forever remain etched in my memory. Not to forget, the great Mount Everest ! Stunningly beautiful landscapes and an unfriendly terrain are truly a Trekker's delight. It has been in my bucket list for a long time, 8 months ago I pulled it out of the bucket and started thinking seriously about it. Not only is it a challenge on your physical abilities, but your mental toughness is called into play throughout the trek. Tomorrow, we commence our descent back to Lukla. What took us 8 days to ascend, will take 3 days to descend. Guys, thankyou so, so much for all your support and prayers, you have been Walking With Me, these last 8 days and a great source of strength and encouragement. Walk With Me for 3 more days ....

WE DID IT! EVEREST BASE CAMP - 5364 M!!

Some photographs from today's trek!