Lhotse Trek

Day 3

Dingboche Rest Day

Today, we hiked up Nangkartshang, and it felt invigorating! Despite battling a pesky cold, I managed to maintain a decent pace that kept my spirits high

Along the way, we met a delightful Nepali gentleman named Sharose, who instantly became our friend for the next several days. A communications engineer by trade, he radiated joy and enthusiasm for the trek, making our journey even more enjoyable. I was glad Ngima finally had someone to chat with in Nepali!
The descent felt great, with no knee issues to hold me back.

We stopped at PaDawa’s house for a steaming cup of tea. PaDawa is a legendary Sherpa who has summited Everest 27 times, which ties him for the record for the most ascents—what an incredible honor!

As night fell, however, my sleep was anything but peaceful. High-altitude dreams swirled in my mind, and I found myself suddenly awake, convinced I was developing HACE. I checked my oxygen saturation; it read 95%, which alarmed me since I was sure my oxygen saturation could not be that high at this elevation. A wave of panic washed over me as I wondered if I was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning due to the generator that had been fired up the night before. After a while, I finally managed to drift back into a fitful sleep, my dreams filled with the lingering tension of the night.

Support Ascend Leadership Through Athletics

I am raising money for Ascend. After years of climbing some of the world’s highest peaks, I believe it’s crucial to support the communities living in the shadows of these mountains. During my travels and climbs in Pakistan in the summer of 2023, I was disheartened by the lack of Pakistani mountain guides, particularly women. Observing this situation ignited a heartfelt desire within me to empower young women in these areas. That’s why I’m teaming up with Ascend Athletics.

Ascend Athletics is an international nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women through mountaineering-based leadership training and community service. Their mission deeply resonates with my own dedication to fostering female strength and resilience.

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