Lowvelder Jan Strydom not only reached Everest Base Camp, but also climbed to an elevation of 5 410m after completing two of the three Himalayan passes.

The 67-year-old embarked on the journey with six other South Africans, departing from Shivalaya on April 5. This marked the start of a demanding 20-day expedition through the unforgiving conditions of the Himalayas.

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Strydom has been an avid hiker from a young age. After completing most of the major trails in South Africa and majoring countries, the opportunity to tackle Everest presented itself. Preparation for the expedition took approximately 10 months, during which Strydom focused on long-distance hikes at high elevations while carrying heavy backpacks.

“Nothing in South Africa can prepare you to walk 5 400m above sea level. But we stayed true to the principle of bistari bistari, a Nepalese expression meaning slow and steady,” said Strydom.

The group reached Everest Base Camp on April 18. The camp stands at an elevation of 5 354m above sea level. They then embarked on a five-day trek during which they completed the Cho La Pass (5 420m), summited Gokyo Ri peak (5 322m) and crossed the Renjo La Pass (5 410m) before arriving in Surke, Nepal, on April 23.

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However, the challenge was far from over. Climbers would normally walk to Lukla, Nepal, but due to bad weather the group instead travelled from Surke to Kathmandu in Mahindra and Tata vehicles.

For Strydom, it was the adventure of a lifetime. He reflected on how small one feels standing at 4 000m above sea level while gazing at snow-covered peaks towering beyond 8 000m.

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