Day 5: Namche

In the morning, we’ll take an acclimatization hike, gaining 1,000 feet to take in the amazing mountain vista. In the afternoon, we’ll have time to visit sights in Namche Bazaar, including the local marketplace.

Day 3 of EBC Trek

“We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” — Words of wisdom shared with us while touring Sagarmatha Next (the innovative waste management/recycling/art center we visited on our trek today). Learn more here: https://www.sagarmathanext.com/about-us/purpose (https://www.sagarmathanext.com/about-us/purpose/). “Sagarmatha” is the Nepalese name for “Mount Everest.”

Daily Gratitude:

    ⁃    We got our first glimpse of Everest!

    ⁃    Mike: Waking up to mountains + hydrating over a cup of coffee and croissant at a Namche cafe.

    ⁃    Symone: Thankful for the dynamic of our group!

    ⁃    Sheba, our other guide (nephew of Lalit!), serving as Mike’s photographer and pace setter today.

    ⁃    Ansley’s photography!

    ⁃    We nicknamed Lalit “Elite Lalit” (he’s been the trekking guide for numerous National Geographic, The North Face, and documentary projects on Everest). He’s “behind-the-scenes,” but making the magic happen.

Daily Highlights:

    ⁃    Ansley felt right at home at Sagarmatha Next — she says it’s even better than the Smyrna recycling center.

    ⁃    Views on views on views! We even “summited” Everest through a VR video at Sagarmatha Next.

    ⁃    Local swag from Namche — shoutout to Sherpa gear (Mike is ready to be your next brand ambassador).

    ⁃    Ansley + Karen got some “retail therapy” shopping around Namche. Amazing local artisan products were purchased!

    ⁃    Bananagrams before bed! Sheba even joined in!

Daily Reflections:

It was inspiring to see how the local community is seeking alternative, creative solutions to the environmental impacts the region is experiencing due to the increase in trekkers annually. The priority of the Khumbu Valley natives is caring for the land and preserving it for future generations.

We also were inspired by the panoramic views we got to take in today. Along our trek, Mike modeled the “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” mantra, and we’re all excited to live into that as we get hi

gher and higher (queue the Jackie Wilson classic).