“We’re not exultant; but delighted, joyful ; soberly astonished… Have we vanquished an enemy? Not but ourselves…” (George Mallory).
The following is from my journal a few days before we started the hike.
“I must have been 10 when I courageously against all odds summitted Mount Everest. It was shortly after I won the Olympic gold in high jumps but before I led Manchester United to FA cup victory. These boyhood imaginations were stirred when the first idea of joining the trek emerged.
Research started and books were identified. A training plan was drafted and training kicked off. Hiking shops and websites were visited. Base Camp veterans were extensively quizzed. Life (work) continued relentlessly. As my knowledge increased so too were my concerns. The reality of the mission dawned on me and I knew this is going to be a huge mental battle. Physically we are both fit but neither of us had a full appreciation of what the trek entailed.
As I uncovered the trials tribulations failures death and despair that mountaineers face, especially in the Himalayas, I needed to look deeply inside. Why would anyone climb a mountain? Why am I climbing?
I’ve always enjoyed challenges and adventures. Everest is the holy grail. Chomolungma, Sagarmatha or Mount Sikhdar as I am attempting to decolonize it, has this magnetic pull for any hiker. So the time is now, while I’m physically active, to feed my craving for adventure and to challenge myself. It is especially exciting to do it with my dear wife Aneesha.
A temporary physical separation from Psybergate. Mohamed goes to the proverbial mountain is critically important as we enter a very different stage of our evolution. I have worked my socks off and our future medium to long term strategy and my role needs reflection. What better place than THE mountain.
We’ve joined a group of 17 others, some of whom we’ve met and very few I know. I’m looking forward to meeting different people and really getting to know them.
Finally, we are raising funds for a project coordinated by Salaam Media to supply shoes to needy school kids in various provinces. Our target is R100k” (end of journal extract).
The mountain does allow much quiet time to reflect and deal with your dreams and demons.
In summary, we hiked a total of 71 kms to Everest Base Camp in 45 hours with 4558m of climbing. We reached 5364m above sea level. At the time of writing, we are close to securing R100k for the #climbing4education campaign (we ended up raising R140k).
One has to acknowledge the platform that our parents and theirs made to make such a trip possible. We are doing stuff they barely considered. Equally one understands that others after us will break new boundaries. Everything is now possible.
From the day I first met members of our group, we all instantly gelled. ‘One for all, all for one’ . The camaraderie, support and encouragement made the tough parts bearable. Seeds for long-term friendships and bonds have been laid. Members include medical professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, students and corporate denizens. It includes young (19 years), old (65 years), male (13), female (6), fit and not so fit.
A special tribute to the females in our group who had to endure so much more hardship and coming through as strong as they have. Mega Salute.
Work did take the back seat which I had hoped for and I’m looking forward to starting afresh with renewed vigor.
Areas still to be explored:
- The origin of Everest but specifically in relation to it’s evolutionary future as the largest standing structure
- The Himalayas as a whole with Everest being one ‘small’ part, it’s fauna and flora and especially the various mountain tribes.
- Buddhism was a constant feature on our hike with stupas, manes and statues throughout the trip. What struck me was the question mark (why?) and wisdom symbols on Buddha’s painting. Other than possibly Myanmar I could not think of a single fascist Buddhist movement compared to most other religions. One could not but notice the humility and accepting nature of the mountain people.
Tenzing said life was different before and after summiting. Did the mountain change me? I’d like to think so but it is much too early. Besides, I’ve realized, a full-day after, just how fatigued I am. Time will tell.
Thanks for taking the time to indulge me, read and follow our journey, contribute, and, send such supportive messages 🙏.
Such a lovely read and account of yours and our journey.
So well written. Brings back wonderful memories.
Well done Fazel.
Thanks Yusuf, memories we will cherish for a long time.