Get Inspired / Asia Going solo: Reinvention at Base Camp Share on email Print this article Share on Facebook Get Inspired / Asia Going solo: Reinvention at Base Camp story by: Anna Sarjeant Reinvent: ‘To change (something) so much that it appears to be entirely new.’ Like that time the girl with a hatred for snow embarked on a trip to the Himalayas and came back a born-again yeti. I don’t like snow, I never have, so it does beg the question as to why I’m now standing shin-deep in the stuff. At 4.30 in the morning, with a scowl on my face and a Snickers in my hand. A Snickers? Yes. We’ll get back to that. Back against the wind, there’s an icy snow drift assaulting my cheeks and I’m stomping my boot into the ground like a raging bull. To say I’m not happy is an understatement. It’s day 11 of the Everest Base Camp trek and the day after we made it all the way to Base Camp itself. Now we’re midway climbing Kala Patthar, five thousand (and something) metres high, wind-lashed, wrapped in eight thermal layers and still freezing. Did I mention it’s four – expletive – thirty am? When I say 'we' I’m talking about myself and my guide, Furba, whose Snickers I’m now holding because I told him (at roughly 5200m) that I was hungry. Which was an outrageous statement considering I’ve had zero appetite for three solid days now. That’s the altitude. I feel bad for snatching a Sherpa’s Snickers, but simultaneously would like to throw it at the back of his head; his description of a "morning walk to see sunrise" has been seriously downplayed. Two hours later, Snickers now stuck to my glove, I’m still zig-zagging my way to the seemingly unreachable summit. The sun has been ascending rapidly, casting a majestic orange glow over the mountains to our right, including Mt Everest, which is looking so darn beautiful even I manage to crack a smile. Okay Furba, now I see why you pulled me out of my contented slumber this morning. Prayer flags and jubilations, I make it to the top sometime around 7am. By 9am I’m eating hard boiled eggs at the lodge, full of pride and a deep satisfaction that I just heaved my body 5555 metres above sea level, and when you consider Everest is only 8,848 metres, I’ve pretty much climbed the world’s highest mountain. Pretty much. Incidentally, three days later, while perusing a giant model replica of the Sagarmáthá National Park and the entire collection of 27 Himalayan Mountains, I casually, albeit a little cockily, ask Furba which one we 'conquered'. Expecting him to indicate something monumental amidst the great white peaks laid before us, he simply points to a tiny grey mound and nods. The essential kit list: 1. Wet wipes, wet wipes & more wet wipes This is how you’re showering. 2. Hydration pack & water purification tablets Avoid an upset stomach. 3. Hand sanitizer All day, everyday. 4. Sunscreen Sun and snow. Enough said. 5. Headband Protects the back of your neck from wind chill. 6. Ski buff It gets dusty! 7. First aid kit Because, blisters. 8. Sunglasses Two pairs because you will lose one. 9. Ziplock bags For snacks & to waterproof the contents of your daypack. 10. Layers Thermals & fleece jackets. It ain’t pretty but it’s practical. Click here for all our tour based deals. First name* Required Invalid Last name* Required Invalid Email* Required Please enter a valid email address Phone Invalid How can we help?Invalid My preferred House of Travel Store* Required Select Outlet Auckland Auckland Central: Ellerslie Auckland Central: Parnell Auckland Central: Ponsonby Road Auckland East: Howick Auckland East: St Heliers Auckland North: Albany Auckland North: Browns Bay Auckland North: Devonport Auckland North: Milford Auckland North: Orewa Auckland North: Takapuna Auckland North: Whangaparaoa Auckland South: Botany Junction Auckland South: Takanini Auckland West: Hobsonville Bay of Plenty Mt Maunganui Papamoa Rotorua Taupo Tauranga CBD Tauranga: The Crossing Canterbury Ashburton Timaru Christchurch Barrington Christchurch City Church Corner - Upper Riccarton Ferrymead High St Lanes Hornby Merivale-Shirley Northlink: formerly Northlands Prestons Rangiora Riccarton Hawke's Bay Hastings: Jenny Nilsson Havelock North Manawatu Palmerston Nth: Broadway Palmerston Nth: The Square Nelson / Marlborough Blenheim Motueka Nelson Richmond Northland Whangarei Otago / Southland Alexandra Dunedin Invercargill Wanaka Taranaki New Plymouth Waikato Calder & Lawson: Hamilton East Coromandel: Whangamata Hamilton City: 299 Barton Street Morrinsville Taupo Te Awamutu Wairarapa Masterton Wellington Johnsonville Kapiti Coast Lower Hutt Wellington CBD: Formerly on Hunter West Coast Greymouth Westport Whanganui Whanganui I would like to receive email updates on the latest HOT holiday deals Tick the box to prove you're not a robot * required fields Your privacy is very important to us. By proceeding, you confirm you have read and agree on behalf of all travellers to our Privacy Policy, and consent to the transfer of personal information to overseas travel providers and other supporting entities for the quote and any travel services to be facilitated and processed (acknowledging that they may not be subject to the same standards of privacy protection as applicable in New Zealand). Done this? Tell your friends about it.
