RAJEEV GUPTA
Ranchi, May 21: On May 14th, we experienced a memorable moment when we reached Everest Base Camp (EBC) with 34 members from across India, led by legendary mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta, who has conquered 7 Summits, 7 Volcanic Summits, and holds a Guinness World Record. This joint effort was organized by Satyarup Siddhanta and Rajeev Gupta, founder of Ideate Inspire Ignite Foundation, to empower communities by leading them on multiple mountain treks.
They call it the “steps to heaven” for a good reason. Visiting the base camp of the highest mountain in the world is on every mountain lover’s bucket list. The scenery is breathtakingly stunning and unlike any mountainous terrain, you have ever seen before – transitioning from lush green farmland, dense forests, and glistening blue fast-flowing rivers to barren land and glacial pools as you climb higher. Reaching the base camp feels like a warrior’s conquest.
When you reach the top of the final climb, stumbling over loose rocks and onto a canvas of white, you will sit and admire what has become one of your greatest achievements.
The Everest region is a powerful and magical place that fosters personal transformation.
The Journey, Not Just the Destination
Real happiness is often found in the journey, not just the destination. This idea is vividly illustrated by the experience of climbing a mountain. As you ascend, you encounter challenges, breathtaking views, and moments of self-discovery. Each step, no matter how difficult, contributes to your personal growth and fulfilment. While EBC may be the goal, the true essence of happiness lies in the climb itself, where you learn, evolve, and appreciate the path you are on.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
We encountered heavy hailstorms on the first day, high altitude elevation during the daily treks, less oxygen resulting in a drop in oxygen levels, acute fatigue from trekking all day, and many uncertainties. Standing at 5,364 meters, the trek to Everest Base Camp taught me invaluable lessons: discipline, determination, resilience, courage, confidence, compassion, and passion. Your mental strength, grit, resilience, patience, and perseverance will be tested.
Special thanks to all my 34 team members from across India who marched together throughout the expedition. Alok Mantri and Amit Mantri’s families from Mumbai and Guwahati, Arun Luharuka, and Ramesh and Ram Mohan Reddy’s family from Hyderabad, Prof. Sunanda Chatterjee from IIT Guwahati, Jyoti Lahoti and her son, Lakshya from Dubai, and Rajesh, Neeraj, Brajesh, Tuhinika, Kushwinder Kaur, Adv. Kashyapi from Jharkhand and Dheeraj from Muzaffarpur scaled the Everest Base Camp at an Altitude of 5364 Meters while covering more than 150 Km in 12 days Trek from Lukla Airport to return at Lukla. The support from our guides, porters, and hospitality members at all the hotels was commendable.
Support from Satyarup Siddhanta
No words can describe the support from Satyarup Siddhanta, a legendary mountaineer with 7 Summits, 7 Volcanic Summits, and a Guinness World Record Holder, who was our mentor, guide, coach, and captain during our trek. Meeting Everest summiteers such as legendary Bachendri Pal, Tenzing Jamling, Manisha Waghmare, and Alexander Hillary, the grandson of Edmund Hillary, was unforgettable.
If you can transcend your thoughts, introspect, reflect, and absorb, you may fill yourself with new dreams and aspirations, hone your courage, leadership, and endurance, and discover a new you.
Tenzing Norgay, the renowned mountaineer, once said, “When you climb a mountain, you also climb the ladder of self-growth.” Let’s be the change to bring changes…
