Journey to the Dream

After completing two acclimatization rotations, I decided to helicopter down to Lukla for a recovery break before the summit push. This is a strategic move used by many high-altitude climbers to improve physical recovery and summit success.  A photo opportunity with the 8K expedition managing director- Lakpa Sherpa Some reasons for the low drop decision- 1. Better Sleep & Recovery At lower altitude (2,800 m), oxygen levels are much higher than Base Camp (5,300 m), allowing: Deeper sleep Faster muscle repair Reduced fatigue and inflammation 2. Improved Appetite & Nutrition Food digests better at lower elevation and will help me: Eat more Rebuild strength Replenish lost body weight and nutrients 3. Reduced Altitude Stress Coming down helps clear out symptoms of high-altitude stress like: Headaches Restlessness Elevated heart rate 4. Stronger for the Final Push When returning to Base Camp after rest in Lukla: I’ll feel stronger, fresher, and more mentally foc...

5th June 2024  was the beginning of my conversations with  Hemant Soreng . I had shared my desire to explore the beginnings of this journey. He was incredibly helpful, patiently answering all my questions and giving me valuable insights at every step about what to expect along the way. Debjani Haldar, a PhD candidate at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore — where I was pursuing my Master's — had once mentioned that she had trekked with him. I still remember her casually mentioning that he had summited Everest in 2024 — an achievement that left me in absolute awe. Coincidentally, that was also the year I was busy scaling Island Peak. She introduced us. Hemant Soreng, a passionate mountaineer, IronMan triathlete, and adventurer, co-founded Rustik Travel — an Indian travel company specializing in sustainable and experiential travel. Rustik Travel curates unforgettable hiking and trekking experiences across India and internationally, with its headquarters based in Ben...

After the first rotation via Lobuche Peak , I was ready for the real deal — the classic Everest south side route. This second rotation would take us through the mighty Khumbu Icefall and into the high-altitude world of Camps 1, 2, and 3. With the ropes still being fixed higher up, this would be both a critical acclimatization push and a test of the mental and physical grit. April 21, 2025 — Base Camp to Camp 1 We started our rotation under the stars — leaving Base Camp at 1:30 AM after a short and heartfelt pooja ceremony to ask the mountain for safety and strength.  The Khumbu Icefall was as dramatic and eerie as ever: frozen ladders, yawning crevasses, shifting seracs. It demanded patience, focus, and respect. However, from the base camp it doesn't look as intimidating. It  looks deceptively serene — like a frozen river caught mid-flow. But don't let the view fool you. Up close, it's a maze of seracs, crevasses, and shifting ice. It’s one of the most dangerous sectio...

  April 20, 2024 | Ice Climbing at Everest Base Camp Today was one for the books. I completed my ice climbing training right here at the  Everest Base Camp , nestled at 5,364 meters (17,598 ft). There’s nothing quite like waking up in the shadow of giants—the world’s tallest peaks surrounding you—and feeling the buzz of mountaineers from all corners of the globe. The air is crisp, the energy electric. You can see the tents pitched in the backdrop in the Base Camp. The training itself was intense and purposeful. Using fixed ropes, crampons, and ascenders on steep icy walls, I got a real taste of the technical side of high-altitude climbing. This wasn’t just a warm-up—it was preparation for one of the most dangerous and awe-inspiring stretches ahead: the Khumbu Icefall . April 21, 2024 | First Rotation Begins — Into the Heart of the Mountain The real climb begins at  1:30 AM , under a blanket of stars, we’ll start our first rotation. The goal: to acclimatize by reaching...

On 4/16/2025, we hiked to the Lobuche high camp to summit the Lobuche peak the next day. We started around 1:30 am on 4/17/2025 Lobuche Peak, located in Nepal's Khumbu region, offers climbers two distinct summits: Lobuche East (6,119 meters) and Lobuche West (6,145 meters).   Lobuche East is considered a trekking peak, suitable for climbers with basic mountaineering skills, while Lobuche West is more technical and challenging.   We climbed Lobuche West, and I could definitely feel it was a level up from my Island Peak ascent back in April 2024. The terrain was a stark, unbroken stretch of white—completely blanketed in snow. In every direction you looked, it was like walking through a frozen dreamscape. The snowfields were deep and demanding, with no visible path, just endless white underfoot, making each step more intense. I felt it was more technical and overall it demanded a lot more—physically and mentally. After pushing through ice, altitude, and awe, we stood on the summi...

After a much-needed rest day in  Dingboche (4,360 meters), we set out early for Lobuche , inching closer to Everest Base Camp. Dingboche had offered us a brief pause—a place to acclimatize, breathe a little easier, and gather strength.  Aerial view of Dingboche- The trail was busier than it had been in days and everyone seem to be moving toward the same destination. It felt almost surreal, like we were part of a pilgrimage. The path zigzags past the Thukla Pass , marked by memorials to climbers who lost their lives on Everest. A sobering reminder of both the mountain’s beauty and its danger. Before leaving, we were given a warm send-off by Gelu Sherpa , the owner of the tea house where we stayed. He draped a white scarf—a khata , a traditional symbol of goodwill and safe travel—around each of our necks. It was a simple gesture, but it felt deeply personal, like a quiet blessing for the road ahead. The trek to Lobuche is about 10 kilometers , gaining elevation from 4,360 meter...

A happy and enthusiastic start from Deboche in the morning.  Made it to Dingboche today in just under four hours, with a single tea stop to soak in the view and warm our hands. The hike was refreshing—steady inclines, sweeping mountain vistas, and crisp Himalayan air that never fails to awaken the senses. As we ascended today from  3,770 meters to 4,360 meters , the trail took us through  Pheriche  and then into the  Imja Valley , crossing the  Lobuche River  before the final pushup to Dingboche. The distance was about  10 kilometers. Some photos on the way. The gentle chime of the yak bells drifting through the mountain air is pure serenity — a calming rhythm that soothes the soul as they gracefully pass us by. This is my third year in a row staying at the same cozy teahouse here, and it felt like a homecoming of sorts. The familiar faces of Gelu Sherpa, the owner , and Sudeep, the ever-smiling cook , greeted me with warmth. Sudeep’s already pre...

Today’s journey began with a warm breakfast of omelet and toast in Namche Bazaar — fuel for what turned out to be one of the more demanding segments of the trek so far.  The route from Namche (11,300 ft) to Deboche (12,325 ft) may show a net gain of only about 1,000 feet, but that’s deceiving. In total, we climbed nearly 2,900 feet and descended more than 1,700 — a true taste of what locals jokingly refer to as “Nepali flat.” We covered around 12 kilometers over six hours, with a 45-minute break to rest and refuel at midday. The fatigue definitely set in, especially while carrying extra weight, but the rewards today were plenty — both physical and spiritual. The trail unfolded through vibrant rhododendron forests, ancient pine trees, and deep valleys carved over centuries. The quiet of the landscape was punctuated by the rhythmic sound of boots on the trail and prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. It’s here that you begin to feel the sacredness of the Himalayas. Rhododendron (R...