Twenty-five years ago I trekked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. It was an opportunity of my lifetime then and I think back to those days with fond memories! I had a school and local community in upstate New York, Lansing, supporting my efforts. I took months to train for the trek, prepare lesson plans for each middle school subject area for teachers to use in their classroom while I was gone, and presented pre and post community presentations so all knew where I would be for a month while away from the school. My faculty generously took charge while their principal was on a mountain!

As I think back on the trekking experience, it was a turning point in my life. Then I realized there is a whole world to see and thus began my travel world-wide and not just the USA as I had been doing. I backpacked for decades and this trek was a stepping stone to more physical demands upon my body. Hiking for miles and miles and at altitude was a never-ending learning experience! Understanding the Nepali culture, how to navigate air travel to arrive at remote places, and to cooperate with trekking partners to carry everything we needed to Everest Base Camp as we were supported by Sherpas and the mighty beasts, yaks, to do so!

Little things still stick in my mind. A Sherpa who ran back miles to collect a fellow travelers eyeglasses left on a stone wall. My tent mate who almost fell over the side of a trail since she did not stay on the mountainside of the trail as a yak went by her. She clung to a tree root to save herself. Washing up in a very small tent with about 4 gallons of hot water after a week of no showering, etc. Eating new foods that were deliciously made by our Sherpas who also delivered a cup of hot tea to our tent each morning! Attending the required medical session about altitude concerns. Seeing Mount Everest the first time … since you do not see the mountain when at base camp… and thinking how beautiful it is! Receiving a khata scarf from a monk at one of our monastery visits. Standing at Everest Base Camp and seeing and hearing a distant avalanche! So many wonderful memories! Simply appreciating the experience today and always. Thank you always to those who supported by effort. I will never forget you!

I would go back to Nepal in a heartbeat. Mountains are my first love and nothing beats the Himalayan Mountains! If you have never been to Nepal, check it out. Tourism has truly grown since 2001 when I was there. Lodges are more abundant whereas we had tented quite often. I’m sure the food is just as delicious and the people are lovely!