For years, my dream vacation was been the 14-day trek from Lukla
Nepal
to Mt. Everest Base Camp. Yes, Everest Base Camp . . . not the Caribbean or Hawaii or Manhattan.
I realize it’s a dream I’ll probably never check off my bucket list. With the news
of the devastating Nepalese earthquakes recently, my thoughts naturally traveled
to that majestic part of the world.
I grieve for the massive loss of life, but I know the Nepalese
will rebuild. Such is the determination and resiliency of the human spirit. As
of this post, Everest Base Camp is devastated and empty. No climbers are on the
mountain. However, just as I know the Nepalese people will rebuild their
homeland, I know that Everest Base Camp will once again teem with adventurers.
The slopes of Everest will not remain empty and silent for long. Such is Everest’s
draw. Such is the spirit and camaraderie of those seeking adventure.
In a recent CNN article, Bringing Tom Home, Moni Basu
and Wayne Drash wrote about Eric Poppleton’s determination to recover the body
of his best friend, Tom Taplin, from the slopes of Everest after the first
massive earthquake rocked Nepal.
The account touched me, and in a very tiny way, I can relate.
