Hillary and Megan have completed their Everest Base Camp (EBC) adventure, closing out an unforgettable journey through the Himalayas.
As the group climbed higher into the mountains, Hillary reported feeling the effects of the thin air, particularly through a loss of appetite. Despite not feeling hungry, she diligently worked to maintain her energy and strength for the demanding days ahead.
Their journey coincided with a historic moment on Everest. On May 21, the mountain recorded its highest single-day summit total ever from Nepal’s south side, with 274 climbers successfully reaching the top. The surge came after days of poor weather and an ice blockage stalling climbing operations and creating a backlog of teams waiting to make their summit push. Hillary and Megan passed numerous expedition teams descending from the summit, as well as long yak caravans transporting gear and supplies.
Now safely through the final stretch of the trek, Hillary and Megan leave the Himalayas with remarkable memories, incredible photos, and stories from one of the world’s most iconic adventures.
Day 5 – This leg of the trek was from Namche Bazaar to Debuche through Tengboche Monastery. Often considered one of the most beautiful and memorable parts of the journey it covers about 10 kilometers (6 miles), and takes trekkers along forested trails, gradual descents, and challenging climbs, all surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan views. Along the way, trekkers notice the changing landscape and thinner air as they climb to higher elevations.
Day 6 – Trekking from Deboche (3,710m) to Dingboche (4,410m) - a challenging yet incredibly scenic part of the EBC journey. About 4–6 hours covers roughly 9–14 kilometers (5.6–8.7 miles), and crosses the Imja Khola River, through the village of Pangboche.
Day 7 – Dingboche - Second acclimatization. Dingboche (4,410m / 14,469 ft) is an important part of the Everest Base Camp trek. Following the “hike high, sleep low” approach, trekkers climb to a higher elevation during the day to help their bodies adjust to the thinner air before returning to Dingboche to rest and recharge for the adventure ahead.
Day 8 – Trekking from Dingboche to Lobuche takes about 4–5 hours and covers roughly 8–9 km (5–5.5 miles). Along the way, they climb past the Thukla Pass memorials before the trail levels out beside the stunning Khumbu Glacier. The Thukla Pass Memorial (also known as the Everest Memorial) is a poignant, high-altitude site located at 4,830 meters (15,850 feet), and featuring over 100 stone and cement monuments honoring brave Sherpas and international climbers who perished in the region.
Day 9 –An epic, challenging 2-day hike spanning about 7.5 miles takes them to Everest Base Camp and Gorak Shep; . The trail winds along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to the final teahouse stop at Gorak Shep (16,929 ft) before ending at Base Camp (17,598 ft). Altitude sickness is the primary concern here.
Day 10 – The Kala Patthar Hike returns them to Gorak Shep from EBC. To reach Kala Patthar, they travel a separate trail ascending the ridge above Gorak Shep. The climb is steep and strenuous, gaining 410 m of elevation in a short distance, taking around 2-3 hours, and topping out of 18,192 feet, (5,545 m).
Day 11 –After soaking in their massive accomplishment, they get to trade hiking boots for helicopter seats and fly back to Kathmandu, bringing an epic Himalayan adventure to an unforgettable close