18,348 feet—Kala Pattar

I climbed to 18,348 feet (5,600m), the highest you can go on this planet without special gear as a mountain climber. I got up a 5:00 am and made the top of Kala Pattar as the first person that day to do so--touched the very top and said a prayer for all I love (and those I don't love so much)--and marveled at Mount Everest.

I think the hardest day of the entire trip had nothing to do with the trails, the food, people, the climb, or the weather (although it was very cold way up there)--it was one night at Lobuche, just a day before the Everest Base Camp--and I had problems breathing at night because of the altitude (not much oxygen--at that height, you get only 45% air you would at sea level). The little room I had had no windows, and I felt like I was suffocating--like being in the ground with a massive rock on my chest preventing me from breathing. It was a sleepless night-and I had bad thoughts about being very alone, with all the beauty of relationships, experiences, and just the good Earth suddenly gone. The next morning I was so thankful for being alive, and all kinds of little irritations--people who bug you for whatever reason--sort of became things I really loved and missed. We can never take things for granted, because, well, one day, they (or we) just won't be there. So I enjoyed those things that annoy me-- fully. Because do you know what?-- those people, things, or experiences are all we have. It is as important to our life to appreciate everything because well, one day there will be nothing.

I look at the life the Sherpas in the high Khumbu region of Everest have, and there is great hardship...but they are the most giving, loyal, hard working, and loving people I have ever met. Hmm...must be Buddhism in practice.

Anyway, more details of the journey to continue. Next week I go to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, then to Pokhara in the Kathmandu Valley, and then head back to Bangkok. I think I'll take the boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang in Laos, since I've heard Laos is wonderful. But, it's better to see for yourself, and since I can, I will!