The Beginning
"Ahhhhh!" I screamed internally as I stared at the dense numbers on my screen. Another day dominated by Excel! Just as I was spacing out at the spreadsheet, my phone suddenly vibrated.
When I checked the screen, it was a photo from my friend in Nepal. Oh my god! It was absolutely stunning! Under a crystal clear blue sky, Mount Everest stood there silently, majestic and noble, as if showcasing its royal presence to the world.
In that instant, my heart skipped a beat. I have to go! I must trek to EBC (Everest Base Camp)! Whatever the challenges, I'm all in!
It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but at that time, I couldn't even run 5 kilometers, let alone trek. Every time I ran, I would be completely out of breath, feeling like my whole body was falling apart. Trek to Everest Base Camp? At 5,364 meters altitude! All my friends thought I was crazy, and even my parents said, "Why would a girl like you want to go to such a dangerous place?"
But think about it, isn't life meant to have a bit of craziness? You have to do some seemingly impossible things to prove how far you can really go! Plus, it's Everest, the roof of the world! Just thinking about it makes my heart race!
Pre-Trip Preparation
Once I decided to go, I had to prepare seriously. I gave myself a six-month preparation period.
First was physical training. God, it was absolute hell at the beginning! Running 5 kilometers every week, I would be completely exhausted after each run. I remember after my first run, I couldn't get up from the track, and a passing elderly man thought I had fainted and almost called an ambulance.
But! Persistence is really important! Gradually, 5 kilometers became 10 kilometers, then 15 kilometers. From wanting to curse after every run, now I consider 10 kilometers just a warm-up. On weekends, I would hike nearby mountains with a backpack filled with water bottles. Though it was only 10 kilograms, my entire back would be soaked by the time I reached the summit.
As for equipment, I really splurged! Spent nearly 20,000 yuan in total! My parents said I was crazy, saying that money could fund several domestic trips. But in high-altitude regions, equipment is literally a matter of life and death!
The down jacket needs to withstand below-zero temperatures, hiking boots need to be waterproof, slip-resistant, and breathable, sleeping bags need to be warm... nothing can be compromised. I became almost obsessed with researching hiking boots on Taobao, comparing at least 20 different models. Finally chose an Italian brand that cost over 3,000 yuan, but it was totally worth it! Wearing them felt like walking on clouds.
I also specifically got a medical check-up, including cardiopulmonary function tests. The doctor said my physical condition was pretty good but warned me to be careful about altitude sickness. Just in case, I bought a bunch of altitude sickness medication, though most of it went unused later.
The Altitude Sickness Experience
Altitude sickness is really a peculiar thing. Before departing, this was my biggest concern.
Did you know? Altitude sickness symptoms can appear above 3,000 meters. And our EBC trek's highest point was Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters! That's much higher than any scenic spots we usually visit.
My first encounter with altitude sickness was in Namche Bazaar. We had just reached Namche at 3,440 meters, and while I felt fine during the day, things started going wrong when I lay down at night. My heart was pounding like it was trying to jump out of my chest. Breathing became extremely difficult, as if the air had become incredibly thin - no matter how hard I tried to breathe, it never felt like enough. The worst was the headache, feeling like someone was hammering my skull.
I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, almost in tears. I thought: This is terrible, if I'm struggling at just 3,440 meters, what about later? Should I give up? But thinking about all the preparation for this trek, all the equipment I bought, all the kilometers I ran, giving up seemed such a waste!
Later I discovered that altitude sickness isn't actually that scary; the key is learning to cope with it. Walking must be slow, really slow! Don't try to keep up with others just because they're walking faster - this isn't a race. Pay attention to your breathing while walking, maintain a steady rhythm. Drinking plenty of water is also crucial; our guide said we should drink at least 3-4 liters daily.
Most important is maintaining a good mindset. Our guide said something I'll never forget: "Mountain is not going anywhere, take your time." Indeed, the mountain isn't going anywhere, so why push yourself too hard?
Gradually, I learned to listen to my body. When feeling unwell, I'd stop to rest, and if it got really bad, I'd take some altitude sickness medication. Every night before bed, I'd check my blood oxygen levels, and if they were too low, I'd take some hits from the portable oxygen.
The Scenery Along the Way
From the moment we departed from Lukla Airport, I was awestruck. That airport is known as the world's most dangerous, with a cliff on one side and a mountain wall on the other - super thrilling!
The scenery along the way was truly breathtaking. Morning sunlight falling on the snow-capped mountains made them appear to glow. The forests were lush with vegetation, and colorful prayer flags could be seen fluttering in the wind. Walking along cliff-side paths with rushing rivers below was both exciting and awe-inspiring.
Especially at the Everest viewing point - wow! Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, three peaks over 8,000 meters right before our eyes! That feeling is truly indescribable. I stood there for nearly an hour, wanting to permanently engrave that image in my mind.
Staying in mountain lodges was also a unique experience. The conditions were basic, with extra charges for hot water and inconvenient toilets. But! None of that mattered! What mattered was the atmosphere. Trekkers from around the world gathered together, and though we didn't share a common language, we could communicate through smiles.
I remember one night, several of us were huddled around the stove for warmth. A German man was telling his trekking stories in broken English, a French girl shared her chocolate, and a Japanese guy taught us how to photograph the stars. At that moment, I truly felt how small the world is and how warm humanity can be.
Reaching the Destination
After 9 days of trekking, we finally reached Everest Base Camp! Standing at 5,364 meters, looking at the glaciers and snow mountains before me, I suddenly burst into tears.
Not from exhaustion or altitude sickness, but from emotion. Emotional because I actually did it! Six months ago, I couldn't even run 5 kilometers, and now I had actually walked to Everest Base Camp!
I sat on a rock, taking in the view. Glaciers sparkled in the sunlight, distant snow peaks stood magnificent and majestic, prayer flags fluttered in the wind. At that moment, all the previous hardships, discomfort, and worries became worthwhile.
That's when I truly understood that trekking to EBC wasn't just a physical challenge, but also a spiritual journey. It taught me that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things with determination. It taught me perseverance and patience, and helped me appreciate the beauty of a slower pace.
Experience Sharing
If you're also thinking about trekking to EBC, the first thing I want to say is: You must prepare thoroughly!
First is physical training, which is really crucial! Don't think that occasional hiking is enough - trekking at high altitude is completely different from walking on flat ground. Start training at least 3 months in advance, practicing jogging, fast walking, and loaded hiking.
Regarding equipment, my advice is: Better to spend more on good quality than try to save money. I remember seeing a cheap sleeping bag and thinking it would be fine for just a few days. But our guide said temperatures can drop below zero at high altitudes, and an inadequate sleeping bag could be dangerous. I ended up buying a more expensive but better insulated sleeping bag, which proved incredibly worth it during those cold nights!
Timing is also important. March-May and September-November are the best trekking seasons. The weather is relatively stable then with good visibility. I went in October, when daytime temperatures were around 10 degrees Celsius, requiring just a light jacket. But nights dropped below zero, so warm clothes are essential.
Regarding supplies, you can restock along the way, but prices increase with altitude. I remember buying a bottle of water in Namche that cost over 100 Nepali rupees! So it's better to stock up on necessities in Kathmandu.
Most importantly, maintain a good attitude. Trekking to EBC isn't a race - don't compare your pace with others. I saw many people get severe altitude sickness and have to turn back because they rushed to keep up. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Enjoy the process, appreciate the scenery, make new friends - that's the true meaning of trekking.
Afterword
It's been a month since I returned, but every time I look at the photos, those scenes are still vivid in my mind. Sometimes walking down the street, I'll suddenly remember the days in the snow mountains. That feeling is like having had a particularly beautiful dream.
Trekking to EBC really changed how I see myself. I discovered I could be this strong, could step by step reach such heights. It taught me that our limits are often self-imposed. You never know how far you can go until you take that first brave step.
Did you know? Statistics show that about 40,000 people attempt the EBC trek annually, but only about 75% succeed in reaching it. And among these people, many are ordinary folks like me. Some are nine-to-five office workers, some are students, some are even over 50. But they all share one thing in common - they dare to try, dare to challenge themselves.
Now people often ask me about trekking in my social media. Every time I see their eager expressions, I feel really happy. Because I know that in the near future, another ordinary person will complete their extraordinary journey.
So if you're having these thoughts, don't hesitate, start preparing now! Begin with running, then hiking, step by step. This time next year, it might be you standing at Everest Base Camp!
Oh, and one last story to share. On the return flight, I met a lady in her 60s. She said her first trip abroad was specifically for the EBC trek. When I asked why she chose such a challenging route, she smiled and said, "While I can still walk, I want to see more of this world."
Indeed, while we're young, while we have dreams, while we can still walk, let's experience a different kind of life!
What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Maybe your story will inspire more people to bravely chase their dreams!
Let me know if you'd like me to modify or adjust any part of the translation. I've maintained the original structure, emotion, and details while ensuring it reads naturally in English.
