Top of the World... well almost!

By Sophie Redden, Gold Award participant, South Australia

Standing on the rubble of Base Camp, taking in the spectacular scenery and the stunning glacier, I could imagine Ed Hillary and Tenzing Norgay making their way up the Khumbu Icefall on their climb to the top of the world. They would be just beginning their journey, and I was at the end… thank goodness!

My Gold Award took me on an adventurous journey to Everest Base Camp, Nepal. The most mentally and physically challenging thing I have accomplished in my life so far! I traveled with a tour company called Intrepid in a group of 11 trekkers, three guides and five porters. We began our 15 day journey with a very scary flight from Kathmandu to Lukla landing on the shortest runway I have ever seen! From Lukla we trekked for a total of seven days to our destination - Base Camp, and four days back down. We passed through winding valleys, tiny villages and over raging rivers. Apart from the physical exertion of climbing 2,965m in a short amount of time, the effects of altitude started to take its toll. Shortness of breath, cramping, loss of appetite and muscle ache proved to challenge us all.

Staying in Tea houses, we spent our nights keeping warm by the yak poo fueled fire, drinking tea and sharing travel stories. The temperature was freezing cold, one night it reached -10 degrees Celsius and was snowing! One of the hardest days was day seven or ‘summit day’. After nine hours of trekking through blistering winds, we finally reached our destination Everest Base Camp at 5,365m altitude! We all hugged and blobbed like babies! 

Nepal is a fascinating place and I fell in love with the people, especially my guiding team. They are incredibly peaceful, relaxed and down to earth – they really made this trip achievable. The other fantastic part of Nepal is the food! From Indian to Chinese, Thai and traditional Nepalese cuisine, I was truly in my element. We all spent our final few days recovering in Kathmandu and eating everything in sight! Although we had lost our appetites on the trek, the food in the mountains was delicious and plentiful as I was introduced to Dhal Bhat, tuna pizza and AU$6 Mars Bars! 

This trip was an amazing experience - 15 days of self determination that I will never forget. From the people, breathtaking scenery, food and personal challenge, Nepal is a place that I recommend to anyone looking to take a step outside their comfort zone!