To Everest Base Camp
Trip Start
Sep 29, 2007
1
10
12
Trip End
Oct 29, 2007
Gorak Shep,
Nepal
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Five km, 360 meters higher to Base Camp, on the map.
But the map never looked at the pile of stone and ice,
Pushed into a ridge by glaciers off Nuptse and the Khumbu Ice Fall.
So scramble we must, up then down, down then up, over the jumble.
A step at at time, with just a pant, after the next step, stop for a needed rest.
Keep head down, dare not to look, the goal too far, too high, don't bring to view.
Or is it better to swivel head around, see the grand, icy, vistas unfold?
Dear legs and knees, do not fail me, heart and lungs stay the course,
We must make it to Base Camp, I had set the goal; legs and lungs, carry through
I am at the Base Camp!
.Ice underfoot makes the go even more treacherous, but awe-inspiring:
See the icy pond with icicles around, in that crevasse, a picture stop, lungs revive.
I have traveled the world, seen many views,
Only here and lonely Antarctica, has it been,
That Mother Nature has gone on Holiday,
Rock, gravel, ice only, no green to be seen.
Have we risen so far above nature,
Have we violated her sacred trust?
I know we humans adapt so well, but
Have we passed Mother Nature's limit?
Finally at Everest Base Camp, a collection of tents spotted here and there,
Flat spots among the rocks are rare, gravel for bedding, over the ice, under the tent
Jumbled trail on Khumbu glacier to Base Camp
.Men and women, waiting, moving up to high camps, back to base.
Team from Thailand, awaiting the magic moment: clear to the summit!
This is our goal - unfurl the banner, pictures and high-fives,
The team has done it, our diverse backgrounds melded into an awesome whole!
Our personal doubts and questioning gone, our elation erases the prior misery,
The spirit of Tensing, Hillary, uncounted others, fills our hearts as victory is gained.
But no stunning views at Everest Base Camp,
Rocks, chunks of ice, tents, storage piles everywhere,
Busy, purposeful, but not scenic,
Must ascend Kala Patthar for that.
