Lhotse Trek

Day 6

Lobuche to EBC

Today turned out to be quite a challenge! My first mistake? Packing way too much in my backpack. I’ll blame this on being jolted awake too early and feeling rushed—definitely not the best way to start the day!

Once we hit the trail, Nima was eager to move fast. I figured he was trying to catch up with Sharose, but honestly, I didn’t care much about the reason; I just wasn’t feeling great, and I knew pushing myself would only lead to trouble.

As we neared Gorakshep, we finally caught up with Sharose, who revealed he had started an hour ahead of us. We settled down to enjoy a cold Coke together, I could tell I wasn’t feeling well because I knocked the Coca-Cola over and spilled it all over an unsuspecting German guy nearby. Oops!!

Back on the trail, my lungs were feeling heavy, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. I started down a catastrophizing spiral that my lungs were as bad as they were in February and I was going to get HAPE and there was no way I would be able to climb any 8000 m peaks this year let alone 5 peaks!

I found myself taking frequent breaks to catch my breath. To lighten my load—literally—I passed some gear to Nima, hoping it might ease the strain. But alas, it didn’t help much. By the time we reached Everest Base Camp, I was utterly drained. And, of course, our camp was at the highest point!

When we finally got to our camp, I was completely exhausted. The welcome “juice” had never felt so welcome. Lunch consisted of sandwiches, French fries, and some disgusting sardines that we’re getting their juice all over my other food. Overall, it was a delicious meal.

I scurried to my tent, craving rest. As soon as I lay down, I noticed an inspiratory and expiratory crackle in my lungs that sent a wave of concern through me fearing the onset of HAPE. I checked my oxygen saturation—it read 85%, which was somewhat reassuring. With a headache and overwhelming fatigue, I briefly considered descending, but I decided it would be reasonable to spend the night here, knowing I could always make a quick exit on foot the next day if needed.

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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