| The Everest Base Camp Trek, through the soaring | | | | decorated. There are monuments called stupas and |
| Himalayan mountain range, presents a (manageable) | | | | chortens, which bring luck if you pass them on the |
| physical challenge, a psychological reward, and an | | | | left, and multi-coloured prayer flags are prevalent; in |
| uplifting experience to treasure for a lifetime. Part of | | | | the villages, on the mountains, even around Everest. |
| its appeal is that it taps into the innate human instinct | | | | And of course, there are the Buddhist monasteries |
| of exploration and allows a reconnection to nature on | | | | you will pass on the Everest Base Camp Trek, a |
| a grand scale. | | | | source of inspiration and comfort for many |
| Exploring: Human Nature | | | | adventurers. In 1953, when Tensing Norgay made the |
| In the increasingly secular society of the western | | | | first successful trek to the peak with Edmund Hillary, |
| world, we often look to nature to revive a sense of | | | | he was happy that when he looked down from the |
| spirituality missing from our modern lives. And nature | | | | top of the world (3,300 metres above Everest Base |
| rarely disappoints. Whether it is a thunder storm, a | | | | Camp and 8848 metres above sea level) he could |
| paddle in the sea, a country walk, or even the sun on | | | | make out the Rombuk monastery below. |
| our face, there is something about being exposed to | | | | But the Sherpa people of Nepal have a spirituality and |
| the elements that restores our sense of humanity. | | | | connection with the mountains that transcends |
| Mountaineering is at the extreme of this idea, with | | | | religions. They call Mount Everest Chomolungma, |
| climbers returning tired but exhilarated - exulted even | | | | "Goddess Mother of the World" and they are at ease |
| - from their brush with a mountain and an | | | | in the high altitude and difficult conditions. Despite the |
| uncompromising environment. Mount Everest (8,848 | | | | hardships of their everyday lives the Nepalese people |
| m) never fails to capture the imagination of outdoor | | | | are unfailingly amiable, welcoming and resilient, as if |
| enthusiasts, and trekking to see Everest Base Camp | | | | they know something about life that we don't. |
| (5,360 metres) is ideal for people who don't have the | | | | Reaching your Goal - Enriching your Soul |
| climbing skills necessary to tackle Everest's summit, | | | | Of course achievement is a great part of every |
| but still have an adventurous spirit, and an appetite to | | | | adventure. Knowing you have done something out of |
| see the world's highest mountain at close quarters. | | | | the ordinary, or even extraordinary, is a thrill that lifts |
| The Spirituality of the Himalaya | | | | the soul. But it is not completism that brings people |
| Along the trails leading to Everest Base Camp, you | | | | back to the 'abode of the gods' again and again - |
| may get a sense of the spiritual nature of the region. | | | | although the challenge is innate to the sense of |
| Although Hindus makes up a large proportion of | | | | reward - it is the reconnection with nature and the |
| Nepal's population, the Everest region has strong | | | | mountain goddesses of the world that drives people |
| historical ties to Buddhism, and you can see evidence | | | | outdoors and uphill. The Everest Base Camp Trek |
| of this in the way the mountains have been | | | | could breathe life into your existence. |