Stories to tell
Ajith Nair
Everest Base Camp: A Journey Beyond the Mountain
The first time I heard about the Everest Base Camp trek was sometime in 2022. Back then, it was just an idea—vague, distant, almost unreal. I didn’t know the details, the effort involved, or what it would demand from me. What caught my attention, though, was the sheer adventure of it all: flying into Lukla, landing at what is often called the world’s most dangerous airport, and walking towards the base of the highest mountain on Earth. That alone made the journey feel larger than life.
The Beginning
The first time I heard about the Everest Base Camp trek was sometime in 2022. Back then, it was just an idea—vague, distant, almost unreal. I didn’t know the details, the effort involved, or what it would demand from me. What caught my attention, though, was the sheer adventure of it all: flying into Lukla, landing at what is often called the world’s most dangerous airport, and walking towards the base of the highest mountain on Earth. That alone made the journey feel larger than life.
Preparations: Changing Before the Change
Once the plan became real, preparation began in earnest. I reached out to friends and course mates who had already done the trek, gathered first-hand insights, shortlisted the trek agency, and figured out what gear was essential and what wasn’t. On the personal fitness front, I knew change was non-negotiable. Reducing weight became a priority. Cutting out sugar was the first decisive step, followed by a regular walking routine. Weekdays were consistent, and weekends slowly stretched into 10–15 km walks.
About a month before the trek, I added breathing exercises suggested by IndiaHikes, including box breathing. This proved invaluable—not just in theory, but in practice—especially after the same approach was validated by a course mate who had completed the trek just a fortnight before us. Preparation, I realised, wasn’t just about legs and lungs; it was about confidence.
The Trek: Mind Over Mountain
Physically, the trek wasn’t overwhelmingly strenuous, except for a couple of demanding sections. The real key was pacing—walking slow, listening to the body, and staying hydrated. Winter conditions taught another lesson: layering is essential, but more importantly, one must mentally accept the cold. Once the mind makes peace with discomfort, the body follows. More than physical fitness, mental preparedness made the difference.
Takeaways: Lessons for Life
The trek reinforced timeless lessons—stay calm in the face of uncertainty, make decisions keeping the larger group in mind, and trust preparation. Treks have a unique way of revealing people, forging bonds, and building quiet leadership. They strip away distractions and show character in its most honest form.
What Stayed With Me
What I loved the most was the first sight of Ama Dablam—graceful, majestic, unforgettable. And above all, the warmth and resilience of the Sherpas and the Nepali people. Their humility, strength, and ever-helpful nature are lessons no book can teach.
The Everest Base Camp trek wasn’t just a walk to a destination. It was a journey inward—a reminder that with preparation, patience, and belief, even the tallest mountains can be approached, one step at a time
Hemant Kumar
If you are a trek enthusiast you would invariably want to trek the Himalayas at some point in time. That opportunity came to me through my office friends late in Nov 2023 and later in mid 2024. By then I had decided that one day I would go to EBC ! And when a bunch of college friends started planning this out I wanted to be part of it straight away. Nothing is as special as going with your college buddies. I must mention that the past two high altitude treks definitely gave me much more confidence that I could make it for EBC. The experience from the Rupin Pass(15300 feet) trek was very helpful as it exposed me to altitude sickness and how better I would need to prepare to overcome the shortcomings.
EBC trek is whole different feeling ! The vibe is much more different. Right from the day when you land at Katmandu and then Lukla, you get to see fellow passengers mostly come to achieve what they have been planning for a lifetime ! To be part of the trekking journey you get to meet some of them who are actually going to summit Everest, Ama Dablam or one of the other 6000m plus tall peaks. To walk along with them hear stories from them was an amazing experience!
And when we finally reached the monumental location after the 12 wonderful days of trekking, there we stood… with the Khumbu glacier in the back ground and the Everest standing tall behind it was such a wonderful moment which I would cherish for a life time !
Looking back, the journey to the EBC with your known college friends was very special and would love to go for more such adventures again !
Lavanya V
Everest Base Camp: Saying Yes to the Unknown
For me, this trek came together at the right time in life. Post-Covid, I had embraced a more active lifestyle. With the kids grown and responsibilities lighter, there was more mental space. I was also in reasonably good health, and I kept asking myself: if not now, then when…
I had never really been into trekking or outdoor adventures. Living in Texas didn’t help either as there aren’t many inspiring places nearby to explore on foot. So when some college batchmates floated the idea of an Everest Base Camp trek, it initially felt ambitious, even unrealistic. But a few batchmates who had already attempted it made it sound doable for my level of fitness, and that planted the seed.
What truly sealed my decision was turning 50. I wanted to do something daring, something that tested my physical endurance and pushed me well beyond my comfort zone. Having an experienced, disciplined, retired Air Force batchmate leading the effort was an added reassurance, especially knowing sound decisions would be made if we faced adversity.
At its heart, the trek promised adventure: traveling to a completely different part of the world, flying into Lukla - one of the smallest and most dangerous airports in the world - and testing both physical and mental endurance. That combination was irresistible.
Preparation: Small Steps, Big Intent
Preparation was modest but intentional. I started running a little more, something I had not done before and completed a 10K run at a reasonable pace for a beginner. I took up pickleball that helped with agility, continued my regular gym workouts, and Zumba, which has always been part of my fitness journey from the start.
To understand altitude better, I climbed a 14er in Colorado, did a few trail walks, and incorporated some breathing exercises - something I now wish I had practiced more consistently. I wanted to show up with confidence and resilience.
The Trek: Grit Beyond Expectation
The trek began with excitement and high spirits as we started together. But the 8-day climb demanded far more grit than I had anticipated. Long stretches of rocky terrain, biting cold at higher altitudes, and thin air with low oxygen made even simple steps feel taxing. The trek guides, sherpas, young and old climbers, amateurs and professional trekkers including world record holders that we met on our way was inspiring.
What stood out was the collective resolve of the group. Everyone was determined to complete the journey, supporting one another through fatigue and discomfort. It became less about speed and more about persistence - one step at a time.
Everest Base Camp: A Moment of Triumph
Standing at Everest Base Camp was both exhilarating and humbling. I made sure to take a photo there wearing my Zumba shirt, because that’s where my fitness journey truly began. My love for dancing and toning workouts at the gym has played a huge role in building cardio endurance, agility, strength and mental toughness - and it helped to take me all the way to the base of the highest mountain in the world.
As the weather began turning unfavorable, we returned to Lukla by helicopter. Descending quickly, I experienced something unexpectedly profound - for the first time, I truly appreciated my lungs filling effortlessly with oxygen.
Takeaways: Lessons the Mountains Teach
Being in the mountains stripped life down to its essentials: one step at a time, patience, humility, and deep gratitude - for health, friendships, and the present moment.
The trek challenged me in the best possible way. It expanded my comfort zone, reinforced belief in my own resilience, and helped forge some wonderful new friendships among batchmates.
The Everest Base Camp trek wasn’t just a physical journey. It was a reminder that growth often begins the moment we say yes to something that scares us - quietly, confidently, and one step at a time.
It's not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves - Edmund Hilary