The second-day journey to Namche is often referred as to the most difficult patch in the whole trek as per the locals. With a determination to make through it, the 21 Jokars set on the path having a mountain breakfast in Tuk-Tuk. The amazing view of mountains was soon covered by the black clouds, and nature started testing us with ferocious winds and a mild snowfall. The high spirits of the Jokars kept them motivated on the path and despite a few setbacks they managed to make it to Namche in the daylight.
The acclimatizing day was spent in Namche with a hike to a local peak and a local museum. The hike rewarded the Jokars with their first view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse. The view not only motivated us for the journey ahead but also made us excited about what is to follow. Having acclimatized at 3400m in Namche, we set on to conquer the steepest path on the trek to make it to the holy place of Tengboche. The path in itself was daunting and the bright sun added to dehydration made it even more challenging. But the view from Tengboche was mesmerizing. I have visited a lot of places in my trekking stints so far, but it has been the most beautiful place I have ever been to. The Tengboche monastery was like a gem in the crown for that beautiful settlement on the hilltop. The place gave us a spiritual feel but at the same time made us realize that we have reached the zone from where in the dominance of AMS increases. Already a couple of us started showing symptoms of the sickness but still the brave spirits didn't shake. The determined Jokars set on their way to Dingboche, the path was long, and the weather conditions only made the conditions tougher. Despite the setbacks among a couple of us, the Jokars continued the journey. It's a saying in IIM C that "We Jokars leave no one behind" and this was the time to prove it. The friends who stood by the side in the times it was most needed. It's very important to stand up for friends and build their confidence especially when their spirits are low. It's easy to say but indeed a tough task to keep people motivated throughout the trek. At each point, we Jokars proved that we are there for each other in times of desperate needs. At Dingboche (4300m) we had an acclimatizing day on which an attempt was made to scale the Nagarjuna peak (5200m). The weather conditions were tough, clouds block the vision ahead, and the winds made the temperature sub-zero. With the AMS taking the opportunity to lay its cold icy hands on several of us coupled with lean oxygen in the air, many of us were tired and gave up on the attempt for making sure they saved their best efforts for the base camp. Despite the severe conditions 7 of us made it to the summit. The view from the top was amazing. The heart was filled with happiness and content, and the overflow was directed directly from the eyes. It were tears of content, the feeling which I have no words to describe, the feeling which gives me goosebumps even now writing about it.
The next day was another long walk through the plains to the next settlement of Labuche. The wind and slight snowfall often tried their best, but the spirits of Jokars was not so easily shaken. We made it to Labuche by afternoon and making sure we had enough rest for the D-Day tomorrow- the day we hoist the flag on EVEREST BASE CAMP. The next day was one of the most hectic days, started with a walk on the plains followed by a rocky patch crossing about six mountains to have a glimpse of the last human settlement on the trek. The eyes filled with excitement but at the same time the daunting walk of 3 hrs one way reflected that everyone was trying their best. Post lunch immediately we started off for the destination, several times, spirits shaken, self-confidence was questioned, but the Jokars didn't leave each other and made sure they hoist the flag on the Base Camp at around 5 pm. The slight delay would mean having the return journey in the torchlight. It was the daunting trek, the confusing rocky patches often were able to raise a doubt in mind whether we were on the right track, but someone we stood together and made it to Gorekhshep by 9 pm.
AMS was on its prime, the cold was widespread, running nose along with a headache were common symptoms among all of us. It is a saying - "Champions are born in adversities." In such conditions, 6 of us decided to scale down the Kala Pather summit (5555m) on the same night. It was indeed a brave choice, but the six Jokars were determined enough to overcome their negative conscience and give it a try. Even our guide was done by AMS, and he decided to let these Jokars go on their own. Starting at around 4 am in the morning, we started to what seemed to be the steepest and tiring journey. The mountain only got steeper with time; the air only got leaner as we progressed, the AMS only got severe, the fingers and toes only got more numb with each step. But we finally made it to the top. The emotions overflowed, the tears rolled down cheeks, there were hugs and hi-fives everywhere. We had found it, found that content, that feeling for which we set on this path. The extreme conditions didn't allow us to stay at the summit for a long time, but it couldn't rob us from capturing the beautiful sunrise behind Mount Everest. It's an image that got captured into our eyes forever.
The return journey from Gorakhshep to Periche was a very well paced travel. With every step, we were taking we were descending, the air was getting dense, and the grasp of AMS was loosening. There was cheerful environment around the group. Cards were played, songs were sung to celebrate the trek. We had done it. The journey from Periche to Namche and from Namche to Lukla was passed reliving those awesome moments that we spent on the mountains. The journey ended with that amazing flight back to Katmandu.
Today, we live in the world filled with technology, science may have made our lives easier, but it can never provide us with the feeling of content, the feeling of belongingness that nature provides us. The bonds forms in such conditions, those strangers becoming friends and friends becoming families cannot be seen in this world anywhere else. Myself being the second year, living the last days of my student life am very glad that I choose EBC for my grad trip. I thank IIM C and Armageddon for providing this opportunity to explore a new side of me. Thanks a tonne!
IIM Calcutta contingent - Akshay Agarwal, Amit Kohad, Yash Agrawal, Priyanshu Chouksey, Akshay Gojare, Shahina Jindal, Akash Kumar, Siddhartha Lakkaraju, Drumit Patel, Mandar Patil, Priya Raghuram, Sonali Dev, Vishwa Deepak Bauri, Vimanyu Verma, Vaibhav Arora, Abhik Bhattacherjee, Rutuparna Karandikar, Arvind Karunakaran, and Mahim Majumder.
By - Mandar Patil (PGP/PGDM/0270/53)
Mandar is also the winner of Pawan Tyagi Prize for the Best Sportsman of the year 2017 during the 53rd Annual Convocation awards.
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