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48 Sayurusara 2024 December

base camp (5364m). Due to harsh conditions, we
stayed only briefly before beginning the descent.
It took two and a half days for me to come
down to Lukla. Due to bad weather, there was
no sign of a flight at Lukla. I stayed there for two
days, hoping for a flight according to weather
On 25th May 2024, the Indian Naval
predictions. However, as the weather worsened,
Academy announced a 35-day spring break. I
I decided to descend another day to Thamdanda,
spent the first few days with my batchmates
the closest location to Lukla accessible by jeep.
from Sri Lanka in Goa, enjoying water sports and
Then, it took me another two days of risky off-
exploring churches and old architecture. After
road travel to reach Kathmandu.
they stayed behind, I continued my journey
alone, reaching Delhi on 30th May. I explored the It was a great experience and a significant
city before booking a bus to Kathmandu, though achievement. Traveling alone from Goa to
delays pushed the departure to the evening of Kathmandu allowed me to observe the cultural
changes throughout the route. I met high-class
31st May.
Indians in Delhi as well as native farmers from
Upon arriving at the India-Nepal border
Uttar Pradesh. I had conversations with many
at Barhini, I found there was no immigration
people and tasted a variety of local dishes.
office. I detoured to Sonauli, 100 km away, by
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, carries a blend
train and taxi, eventually crossing into Nepal.
of Indo- Chinese culture, which is quite different
From there, I flew to Kathmandu, staying with
my Indian coursemate, Cadet Vishvendra
Dhama, and his family in their apartment.
On 3rd June, I flew to Lukla to begin my
Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek. With my guide,
Ram, and porter, Rajkumar, we trekked from
Lukla to Phakding. Over the following days,
we climbed to Namche Bazaar, Deboche, and
Dingboche, gradually acclimatizing. I got my
first view of Mount Everest from Namche Bazaar
despite cloudy weather.

By 9th June, we reached Lobuche at
4950m, where I started feeling the effects of
altitude. The final leg to EBC on 10th June was
challenging due to the cold and wind, but clear
skies motivated me. After a brief stop at Kala
Patthar for a view of Everest, we arrived at the
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