Today was a day of mixed emotions: the satisfaction of completing the trek, the nostalgia of leaving the mountains, and the simple relief of knowing we were heading back to a warmer, more familiar world. This was the final hike of our epic journey to Everest Base Camp, and we were warned it would be a long one. We started early for breakfast, ready for the final, long descent.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be the longest day of trekking by far! Our pace was frustratingly slow due to long trails of yaks clogging the path. Because Lukla had been closed for several days due to poor weather, flights had only just restarted, meaning there was a massive backlog of deliveries and gear being moved. We just had to take it slow and steady.
Leaving Namche Bazaar, we began the steep descent down the zig-zagging trail we had climbed a week ago. The views of Kongde Ri and the surrounding peaks were a final, dramatic farewell. The air felt wonderfully thick with oxygen, making the downhill trek much more forgiving than the ascent, but the steepness was hard on the knees, so maintaining a slow and steady pace was crucial.
The trail was well-defined and wound through dense forests of pine and rhododendron. We crossed more of the iconic suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Bridge for the final time—it was just as spectacular on the way down as it was on the way up. The rush of the river and the rustling of the leaves created a soothing backdrop to our last hours of trekking.
The path was a constant stream of activity, a vibrant tapestry of trekkers, porters, and yak trains. At times, this traffic made us super slow, which was frustrating, especially as we wanted to be done. As we went, the weather started to close in and the clouds began to build. The temperature was warm, but as the sun disappeared, the risk of rain increased.
The final section of the trek is a gradual, uphill ascent to the airport town of Lukla. Then came the rumbles. Thunder and some flashes of lightning filled the air! Despite the lower altitude, it was nerve-wracking hiking in the woods on the side of the mountain during a developing storm.
As we continued our uphill climb to Lukla—a final test of our endurance—the rain began to drop heavily. Out came our waterproofs for one last time! On the last push before the finish line, we trudged through the rain and mud, finally making it to Lukla. The feeling of reaching the town was one of pure triumph and immense relief, especially after such a long day on the trail. The sight of the airport and the anticipation of flying out in the morning marked the official end of our incredible trek.
On arrival, we treated ourselves to a celebratory beer (Coke for the boys, of course!) as we looked out over the famous airport. The fixed-wing planes had ceased flying for the day, but as the clouds cleared and the storm moved on, the sound of helicopters filled the air, earnestly picking up and dropping off clients up and down the mountain.
We spent our last evening in the mountains celebrating our accomplishment with more delicious food. As has been the way all trip, we were back to bed early. We were due to fly out early in the morning, and in Lukla, you never know if the flight will take off, so you have to give yourself the best chance by getting there early and being ready to go. What an epic journey! Everest Base Camp, complete!
Family Russell-Smith Travel 