the air is rare...Nepal 2007

...way up there,
but down below,
it's all systems go....

It's amazing how we take such a fundamental act as breathing for granted in our everyday lives. For the past 15 days, every single footfall and every inspiration have measured our journey up to 5550 meters and the top of the world as we know it. It has been an arduous trek to Everest Base Camp, and its opposing viewpoint, Kala Patthar, but what a stupendous adventure. We will come back with pictures and stories, but I don't think we will be able to do justice to the enormity of the landscape that has surrounded us. The vista simply moves one to tears, and reduces one to utter insignificance in the grand schema of nature. On the way, we have suffered food poisoning, giardia, sunburn, tendonitis, fasciitis and vertigo, but we have touched the seat of the gods and have returned to tell the tale.

We have encountered Iranians, Brazilians, Sri Lankans, Brits, Germans, French, American, Kiwi and Canadian trekkers of all ages and stages. Eight year old Sarah from Saskatoon trekked for 5 weeks with her parents, who were making their 3rd journey to Everest. Grandmothers (great?) and grandfathers pottered their way up the dirt and boulder-strewn trail in search of their own adventures. Hundreds of trekkers cross paths all the way up and down Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park and all return a little different from the folks they were at the outset. In short, you must come and experience this amazing adventure for yourself. It is out of this world....

Ohm mani padmi hum