My debut book - Dreaming Of Everest is out now!

 

While my blog was in hibernation for a long time, I was not! I was preparing to publish my first book, Dreaming Of Everest. It is based upon my trekking experience to the foot of the highest mountain in 2019. I am delighted to announce that it is available worldwide on Amazon, Kindle, as well as select bookstores across India.

About the book
The story of a young woman’s journey to the Everest Base Camp despite limited trekking experience that will inspire even the hoi polloi to realize impossible dreams and prove that limitations exist only in the mind. Despite limited trekking experience, Saachi sets her sights high and embarks on a 130-km long maiden trek through a region of outstanding natural beauty. The protagonist takes you on a sublime adventure through blooming rhododendron forests, gushing streams, and majestic mountain scenery. Along the way, the group braves many challenges - the aftermath of Cyclone Fani, altitude sickness, and extreme weather conditions. While two members drop out, will the remaining manage to pull through?
It is an inspiring personal narrative of grit, focus, and the weight that we carry in our lives.

So, go on, grab your copy now!

Amazon - https://bit.ly/3B4KYCv

Going The Distance

Carrying our backpacks, we made our way;

Traversing new grounds & heights along the way;

Amidst yak bells and over-loaded porters;

Munching on chocolates, we carried as hoarders;

Pushing each other to climb further;

While taking pictures for one another;

Breath - taking scenery and slow, deep breaths;

Took us all the way to Everest Base Camp, step by step.

- Saachi Dhillon

The Mountains We Climb

On the way to Gorakshep

Everest Base Camp at a glance

Wide eyed, I smiled incessantly while breathing in the thin, icy-cold air at Everest Base camp.  At 5364 metres (or 17,600 ft) above sea level, with a glint of snow in our eyes, we felt at the top of the world! Group photos, videos and warm cheer filled the sub-zero atmosphere. Rumour had it that Tom Cruise was around as well.  

My Khumbu cough and cold magically disappeared during that time.

We had made it.

I had made it.

Made it!

Having traversed over 60 kms over 9 days to reach there was no small feat. From high passes to deep valleys, through fragrant rhododendron to blue pine forests to rocky flatlands adorned with the world’s highest mountains; we had come a long way. Panoramic views of Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Ama Dablam (6812 m), Nuptse (7861 m) amongst some of the world’s other tallest peaks kept us mesmerized.

Having scaled new heights, the weight that we carry was slowly lifted off our weary shoulders. Amidst epiphanies & new perspectives in the oxygen-poor air, we felt a sense of relief. An achievement like no other.

The Mountains we climbed to get there, the mental shackles that we broke through and the dreams that we realized as a result. It all came together at the world’s highest base camp.