[W98-E1] Everest, here I come!
One of the highest peaks on the planet earth, with more than eight thousand meters above sea level. And that is not limiting for dozens of people to visit it annually, because thanks to the advantages offered by the spring season and the constant work of the locals, it is one of the adventures that many are encouraged to do. Why do I choose this destination? Let me explain.
With the word "adventure" I imagine a special journey from the very beginning. I don't live in Asia, so I would have to embark on a journey to another continent, another country. We are off to a good start on this adventure! Once arrived in that nation, we would have to use a different lodging than the ones I know, and for sure take a transport to the first camps in the mountain. I have seen that some people take them there by helicopter. If that were my case, I have not yet arrived at the site and I would have already embarked on at least two means of transportation for the first time in my life!
I like this option for at least two reasons.
The perspectives. We are used to seeing the world from our angle as human beings. We just have to climb a tall building, go to a tourist lookout or open the window of an airplane and marvel at what we see. We can feel the majesty of the world around us, and see how insignificant we can seem. How do we come to perceive that? In part, because of the different perspective we get to see things. That's one of the things I would appreciate from the top of Everest.
I recently saw a documentary showing the stunning images captured from Everest. They were sublime. The clouds look like a long, comfortable, soft, fluffy white cloud bed below us. The clouds below us! Crazy to say, but it's literal. It's a new perspective, something our eyes don't often see. That must make a dent in our lives somehow. As with other aspects of life, having this breadth of knowledge can enrich our lives and lead us to think beyond our noses.
The value of teamwork. I believe that it is one of the goals that can be achieved where the help we receive from others has a lot of value. Living this type of experience makes us value others more and create close bonds. From the very beginning of the adventure we benefit from the help of others. Even if we have read all the articles that any search engine can find on the internet (which would already be benefiting from what someone else wrote), surely someone will explain how to get to the camp and how it works, which was also built and arranged by others. When climbing we will use trails that others have searched and fixed, and we will probably climb accompanied. Climbing alone? Maybe several have done it, but I guess it would not be the same.
What would it take to accomplish this great adventure?
A better physical condition. It is no secret that you have to have previous training to endure the conditions at that altitude. And we're not just talking about the lack of oxygen, but the low temperatures, leg strength and physical endurance. I think I would need better health and fitness than I have now. Just about three weeks ago I played softball in a stadium and just by warming up and stretching beforehand I suffered a muscle injury in both legs. And I ride a bike!
A favorable weather condition. Currently, spring is the best time of the year to climb Everest. If you look on the internet you can see that many people go during that season and literally form a river of people on that peak. But I think there is room for improvement on that. When we have gone on trips to some famous beaches, we try to go on days that are not holidays or weekends. Why? So that there are fewer people and we can better enjoy the scenery, the place, the spaces, the guides, the services, etc. So, although I understand the reasons why people prefer that time of the year, I would like to go just a few days before the official start of that season, or a few days after, and thus not have so much traffic.
With such an adventure I could evaluate my physical condition. I could also increase my appreciation for this special planet we have been given. It would increase my reverence for the one who created it, who obviously has greater power than this place demonstrates. I would meet new friends who show selfless qualities to satisfy the visitor's desire. I would capture many beautiful photos, which is a memory I value highly. And I could meet a new place together with the people I love, which makes it more special.
Could it be something unattainable for me? Maybe not. But until I know if that moment will come to pass or not, I have these edited photos. What did you think? Too crazy, funny or exaggerated? It's just that when I take the real ones, they'll have those same characteristics. See you next time!
Images: Edited by me in GIMP using one image taken from Pixabay and the other from Pexels, adding my profile picture.
Banner: Made by me in GIMP with my own images and free resources from the site pfpmaker.com/
Language: Post written in Spanish and then translated into English through DeepL